“门(mén)” is a very common Chinese word, but it has more meanings than its basic meaning of “door.” For example, we use phrases like “有门(yǒu mén),” “没门(méi mén),” and “走后门(zǒu hòumén)” which are typically used in their erhua form, as “有门儿(yǒu ménr),” “没门儿(méi ménr),” and “走后门儿(zǒu hòuménr).” Today, we will take a look at the meanings and usages of these phrases.
yǒu ménr
有 门儿
“有门儿(yǒu ménr)” means having a way to solve a problem or getting the hang of something.
Example
Zhè shìr yǒu ménr le.
这 事儿 有 门儿 了。
It’s possible that this thing can be done.
méi ménr
没 门儿
“没门儿(méi ménr)” means that you have no means to do something or that there is no way to do something. However, we usually use it as slang in spoken Chinese, which is the equivalent of “No way!” or “impossible” in English.
Examples
Lǐ Míng: Lǎopo, wǒ xiǎng hē diǎn jiǔ.
李 明： 老婆， 我 想 喝 点 酒。
Li Ming: Honey, I want to drink some wine.
Wáng Lì: Méi ménr!
王 丽：没 门儿！
Wang Li: No way!
Nǐ piàn le wǒ yícì, hái xiǎng zài piàn wǒ? Méi ménr!
你 骗 了 我 一次，还 想 再 骗 我？ 没 门儿！
You cheated me once, now you want to cheat me again? I don’t think so!
zǒu hòuménr
走 后门儿
“走后门儿(zǒu hòuménr)” is a derogatory term. Literally, it means entering a place through the back door, but we use it to refer to a situation in which a person gets an advantage through influencing others or when someone gets some benefits through improper channels.
Examples
Zhāng Qiáng: Tā de nénglì zhème chà, shì zěnme jìn de ɡōnɡsī?
张 强： 他 的 能力 这么 差，是 怎么 进 的 公司？
Zhang Qiang: He is really incompetent. How did he get into the company?
Wáng Míng: Xū, tā shì zǒu hòuménr jìn de ɡōnɡsī.
王 明： 嘘，他 是 走 后门儿 进 的 公司。
Wang Ming: Shh… He got in through the back door.
Bìyè hòu, tā zǒu hòuménr zhǎo le yífèn hěnhǎo de gōngzuò.
毕业 后， 她 走 后门儿 找 了 一份 很好 的 工作。
After graduation, she landed a good job through improper channels.
Quizzes
1. Linda’s driving test is coming up and she wants to “走后门儿(zǒu hòuménr)” to pass the exam. What does “走后门儿(zǒu hòuménr)” mean in this sentence?
A. to achieve her goal through hard work
B. to enter the test center by the back door
C. to give the examiner a bribe
2. “想分手？没门儿！(Xiǎng fēnshǒu? Méi ménr!)” Which is the right meaning of “没门儿?”
A. Sorry
B. No way
C. There is no door
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