Meaning:

门槛 (ménkǎn) threshold, doorsill

Usage:

“门槛”本是指门框下端的横木条，古代建筑的“门槛”有重要的意义，古人认为门槛可以阻挡不利因素进入家里。后来“门槛”比喻进入某范围的标准或条件。

“门槛” is the wood at the bottom of a door. An ancient building’s “门槛” had great significance, as people then believed that they prevented bad things from entering the home. Later, “门槛” came to be a metaphor for criteria or conditions to enter something.

Examples:

1. 如今出国旅游的门槛越来越低。

    Rújīn chūguó lǚyóu de ménkǎn yuèláiyuèdī

    Nowadays, the barriers to traveling abroad have become lower.

2. 名牌大学的门槛很高。

    Míngpái dàxué de ménkǎn hěngāo

    Famous universities have high barriers to entry.