# 开门见山

kāi mén jiàn shān

State the main point directly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Open the door and see the mountain

**Traditional Chinese:** 開門見山

**Register:** Practical · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Praise a clear, direct opening.

Directness should still remain courteous.

## Understanding the expression

Opening a door immediately reveals the large mountain before you, without a winding path to the view. The expression compares that direct encounter to speech or writing that starts with the central point. Modern use suits requests, meetings, letters, and explanations. It helps listeners understand the purpose quickly. Being direct does not require being abrupt; a short courteous introduction can still lead clearly to what matters most.

## Examples

她开门见山地提出要求。

### Traditional Chinese

她開門見山地提出要求。

tā kāi mén jiàn shān dì tí chū yāo qiú 。

She stated her request directly.

我们开门见山，先谈预算。

### Traditional Chinese

我們開門見山，先談預算。

wǒ men kāi mén jiàn shān ， xiān tán yù suàn 。

Let us get straight to the budget.

邮件要开门见山说明来意。

### Traditional Chinese

郵件要開門見山說明來意。

yóu jiàn yào kāi mén jiàn shān shuō míng lái yì 。

The email should state its purpose directly.

他没有寒暄，开门见山说了问题。

### Traditional Chinese

他沒有寒暄，開門見山說了問題。

tā méi yǒu hán xuān ， kāi mén jiàn shān shuō le wèn tí 。

He skipped small talk and stated the problem.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%96%8B%E9%96%80%E8%A6%8B%E5%B1%B1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=170&webMd=1&la=0)

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