用卷帘门教你名词和动词“锁”

What does 锁 (suǒ) mean in Chinese — noun and verb?

锁 (suǒ) is one of those Chinese words that works as both a noun and a verb with no change in form. As a noun, it is the padlock itself: “这把锁很结实” (this lock is sturdy). As a verb, it means to lock something shut: “出门记得锁门” (remember to lock the door when you leave). Chinese learners often expect separate words for the object and the action — in this case, one character does both jobs.

The clip turns this grammar point into a real moment: the presenter is trying to lock a roll-up shop door (卷帘门, juǎnliánmén) and the padlock keeps resisting — “怎么这么难锁” (why is this so hard to lock?). After finally managing it, she explains: “锁在这里有两个意思 — 一个是名词，指的就是我手上的这一把锁；另外一个意思就是动词，意思是锁上.” The character 锁 contains the metal radical (钅), pointing to its physical origin as a metal fastening device.