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开
kāi
open
请把门开一下。
Please open the door.
formal
To move something from a closed to an open position, allowing passage or access.
他开窗户通风。
He opened the window for ventilation.
商店几点开门？
What time does the shop open?
Used for doors, windows, containers, or figurative openings (e.g., opportunities).
formal
To start or initiate an activity, process, or event.
会议九点开。
The meeting starts at nine.
他开了一家咖啡馆。
He opened a coffee shop.
Common in business, events, and routines.
formal
To turn on or activate a device or system.
请把灯开开。
Please turn on the light.
他开车去上班。
He drives to work.
Often paired with objects like 灯 (light), 电视 (TV), or 车 (car).
formal
To bloom or blossom (of flowers).
樱花开了。
The cherry blossoms have bloomed.
Used for plants and flowers.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Compound Verbs with 开
Many everyday actions combine 开 with objects to form verbs (e.g., 开门 'open door', 开车 'drive', 开灯 'turn on light'). Memorize these as fixed phrases for fluency.
Gold Rule
开 vs. 开始
Use 开 for concrete actions (e.g., 开门) and 开始 for abstract starts (e.g., 开始工作 'start working'). 开始 can also replace 开 in some contexts (e.g., 开始会议 'start the meeting').
Word Origin
From Old Chinese 開 (OC *kʰɯːn), related to opening or freeing space. The character depicts a door (门) with a hand (手) pushing it open.
Usage Notes
开 is a highly versatile verb with broad applications. In compound verbs (开+object), it often implies initiation or activation (e.g., 开机 'boot up', 开水 'boiled water'). Avoid overusing it as a direct translation for 'start' in all contexts; '开始' (kāishǐ) is preferred for abstract beginnings.
Word Breakdown
门
door
root手
hand
root汉英词典