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北门锁钥
北门锁钥
北门锁钥
北门锁钥
北门锁钥
北门锁钥
北门锁钥
北门锁钥

北门锁钥 — “A strategically vital location”

北门锁钥 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a strategically vital location”. Especially one that acts as a key defensive point in the northern region, essential for control or access. Literally, “Lock and key of the north gate”.

Frequency

北门锁钥 Pronunciation and Pinyin

北门锁钥 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
北
běi5north
门
mén3door, gate, entrance
锁
suǒ12lock or fasten with a lock
钥
yuè9key

Example Sentence with 北门锁钥

这座城池地势险要,是通往北方平原的北门锁钥。
This city's terrain is perilous; it serves as the crucial northern gateway to the northern plains.

Origin and Story of 北门锁钥

During the Spring and Autumn period, Qi Zi, a man from Qin, held the key to the northern gate of Zheng's capital. He sent a messenger to Duke Mu of Qin, urging him to attack Zheng.

Disregarding the advice of Jian Shu, Duke Mu of Qin dispatched generals Meng Mingshi and others to lead an expedition.

Xian Gao, a merchant from Zheng, discovered this. He feigned offering gifts to welcome the Qin army, while secretly sending intelligence.

The State of Jin seized the opportunity to dispatch troops and defeat the Qin army.

Duke Mu of Qin later admitted it was his fault.

Idioms Related to 北门锁钥

Synonyms of 北门锁钥

  • běi北mén门zhī之guǎn管a crucial strategic point

More idioms starting with 北

  • běi北sǒu叟shī失mǎ马A blessing in disguise
  • běi北gōng宫yīng婴ér儿a paragon of filial devotion
  • běi北dǒu斗zhī之zūn尊a revered figure
  • běi北chuāng窗gāo高wò卧live a leisurely and carefree life
  • běi北yuán辕shì适chǔ楚actions contrary to purpose
  • běi北yuán辕shì适yuè粤act in a way that defeats one's purpose
  • běi北zhé辙nán南yuán辕act contrary to one's goals
  • běi北chén辰xīng星gǒng拱widely revered and supported
  • běi北dào道zhǔ主rén人a host who provides hospitality
  • běi北guō郭xiān先shēng生a recluse who shuns public life
  • běi北bǐ鄙zhī之shēng声decadent music of a fallen dynasty
  • běi北bǐ鄙zhī之yīn音Decadent music of societal decline

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Questions about 北门锁钥

What does 北门锁钥 mean?

北门锁钥 (běi mén suǒ yuè) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a strategically vital location”.

How do you pronounce 北门锁钥?

北门锁钥 is pronounced běi mén suǒ yuè in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 北门锁钥 literally mean?

Literally, 北门锁钥 means “Lock and key of the north gate”. It is used to mean “a strategically vital location”.

Where does 北门锁钥 come from?

北门锁钥 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 北门锁钥?

原指北城门上的锁和钥匙。后借指北方的军事要地。

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