JLPT · Level 74
45 words
Japanese word
正門
Pronunciation
Romajiseimon
Meaning
- nounmain gate
Example
学校の正門は朝七時に開きます。gak kō no sei mon wa asa shichi ji ni hira ki ma su
The school's main gate opens at seven in the morning.
More examples
大雨のため、正門は一時閉鎖されています。ō ame no ta me sei mon wa ichi ji hei sa sa re te i ma su
Due to heavy rain, the main gate is temporarily closed.
Core concept
Refers to the gateway chosen as the proper and primary entrance to a building or enclosed area.
Common phrases
正門を開けるsei mon o a ke ru
open the main gate
正門を閉めるsei mon o shi me ru
close the main gate
学校の正門gak kō no sei mon
the school's main gate
Similar words
表門omotemon: The gate at the front of a building or enclosed area, often used as its main entrance.
Definition in Japanese
敷地の正面に設けられた、主たる出入り口となる門。shiki chi no shō men ni mō ke ra re ta nushi ta ru de i ri kuchi to na ru mon
Word origin
正門 (seimon, "main gate") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 正 (sei, "proper") and 門 (mon, "gate").
Usage tips
- A school sign or map may identify 正門 (seimon) as the entrance for visitors, even when the grounds have other gates for daily use.
Other meanings
- main entrancenoun