1Qi son of Yu the Great 禹[Yǔ], reported founder of the Xia Dynasty 夏朝[Xià Cháo] (c. 2070-c. 1600 BC)
2to open
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March 24, 2026
启(啟)Qǐ(Qi3)
The character 启 (qǐ) primarily means 'to open' or 'to start.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as initiating a process, enlightening someone, or providing information. The word can also refer to the act of beginning something significant, like a discussion or a new project.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#9742DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of initiating or enlightening is significant in education and philosophy, often associated with the idea of opening one's mind to knowledge. This is reflected in Confucian teachings that emphasize the importance of learning and personal growth.
Memory Tip
Imagine a door (represented by the character 启) swinging open to reveal a bright light (the meaning of 'to enlighten'). The top part of the character resembles a roof, indicating something being opened up beneath it, while the bottom part can remind you of the act of starting something new.
Meanings of 启
Qǐ(Qi3)
1Qi son of Yu the Great 禹[Yǔ], reported founder of the Xia Dynasty 夏朝[Xià Cháo] (c. 2070-c. 1600 BC)
2to open
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 启
启Simplified
啟Traditional
7Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9742Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 启
Podcast: 启
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AI Study Notes for 启
Quick Contrast
启 (qǐ) vs 开 (kāi) — use 启 for starting a process with a sense of enlightenment or initiation, while 开 is more about physically opening something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a door (represented by the character 启) swinging open to reveal a bright light (the meaning of 'to enlighten'). The top part of the character resembles a roof, indicating something being opened up beneath it, while the bottom part can remind you of the act of starting something new.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 启 with similar verbs like 开 (kāi), which also means 'to open,' but 启 carries a connotation of initiating or enlightening. This character is more formal and often appears in written Chinese, such as in academic or official contexts. Be mindful of using the correct tones to ensure clarity.
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in the HSK levels, 启 is useful for students looking to expand their vocabulary around actions and processes. It connects well with other verbs of motion or initiation at the same level, such as 开始 (kāishǐ, to start) and 结束 (jiéshù, to finish). Focus on using it in sentences to describe starting actions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of initiating or enlightening is significant in education and philosophy, often associated with the idea of opening one's mind to knowledge. This is reflected in Confucian teachings that emphasize the importance of learning and personal growth.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 启 with 开 (kāi) when describing opening something. For example, saying '我启门' (wǒ qǐmén) instead of '我开门' (wǒ kāimén) is incorrect; use 开 for physical doors.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 启
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Grammar Patterns of 启
启 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Our city will launch a new transportation plan next month.
Common Confusions with 启
启vs起
qǐ
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "Qi son of Yu the Great 禹[Yǔ], reported founder of the Xia Dynasty 夏朝[Xià Cháo] (c. 2070-c. 1600 BC)"?
or
Usage Notes for 启
Usage in ContextCommon Error
Learners often confuse 启 with similar verbs like 开 (to open). Although both can mean to start something, 启 is more formal and often implies enlightenment or initiation.
1
我启发了他的思考。
I enlightened his thinking.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
我____发了他的思考。
I enlightened his thinking.
Example Sentences for 启 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他用微型声波发射器开启了门。
tā yòng wēi xíng shēng bō fā shè qì kāi qǐ le mén。
He activated the door with the miniature sonic transmitter.
2
我可以用一张软盘来启动，但其他的就无能为力了。
wǒ kě yǐ yòng yī zhāng ruǎn pán lái qǐ dòng， ， dàn qí tā de jiù wú néng wéi lì。
I can boot up from a floppy disk, but that's all.
3
他试着启动船的引擎，但没发动起来。
tā shì zháo qǐ dòng chuán de yǐn qíng， ， dàn méi fā dòng qǐ。
The boat's engine misfired after he tried to start it up.
4
玛丽女王开启了青花瓷在英格兰的流行风尚。
mǎ lì nǚ wáng kāi qǐ le qīng huā cí zài yīng gé lán de liú háng fēng shàng。
Queen Mary started the fashion for blue and white china in England.
5
磋商中还达成了重启两个联委会的决议。
cuō shāng zhōng huán dá chéng le zhòng qǐ liǎng gè lián wěi huì de jué yì。
It was also agreed to reactivate two joint committees on negotiations.
6
你可以预先调好暖气，使它在你需要的时候启动。
nǐ kě yǐ yù xiān tiáo hǎo nuǎn qì， ， shǐ tā zài nǐ xū yào de shí hòu qǐ。
You can preset the radiators to come on when you need them to.
7
那艘船一办好离港手续立刻启航了.
nà sōu chuán yī bàn hǎo lí gǎng shǒu xù lì kè qǐ háng le.
The ship sailed as soon as it got clearance.
8
那足够用来支付14个科研项目的启动费用了。
nà zú gòu yòng lái zhī fù14 14 gè kē yán xiàng mù de qǐ dòng fèi yòng。
That is enough to pay the start-up costs for fourteen research projects.
9
我只是想有足够的启动资金。
wǒ zhī shì xiǎng yǒu zú gòu de qǐ dòng zī jīn。
I just want enough cash to start the ball rolling.
10
他给自己的船装上另一批货后便启航了。
tā gěi zì jǐ de chuán zhuāng shàng lìng yī pī huò hòu biàn qǐ háng le。
He loaded his vessel with another cargo and set sail.
Cultural Notes for 启
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of initiating or enlightening is significant in education and philosophy, often associated with the idea of opening one's mind to knowledge. This is reflected in Confucian teachings that emphasize the importance of learning and personal growth.
Word Family of 启
Words Containing This Character20
启动qǐdòngto start (a machine)啟動
开启kāiqǐto open開啟
启发qǐfāto enlighten啟發
启Qǐto open啟
启示qǐshìto reveal啟示
启用to start using啟用
启程qǐchéngto set out on a journey啟程
启蒙qǐméngto initiate啟蒙
启事qǐshìa notice啟事
难以启齿to find it hard to speak about sth難以啟齒
启迪qǐdíto edify啟迪
启示录the Apocalypse啟示錄
启航(of a ship) to set sail啟航
启齿to open one's mouth啟齒
梁启超Liang Qichao (1873-1929), influential journalist and a leader of the failed reform movement of 1898梁啟超
启动子promoter啟動子
启明Classical Chinese name for planet Venus in the east before dawn啟明
承前启后forming a bridge between earlier and later stages承前啟後
启东Qidong county level city in Nantong 南通[Nántōng], Jiangsu啟東
启发式heuristic啟發式
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 启动 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 启
You can use 启 in sentences like '启动车辆' (qǐdòng chēliàng), meaning 'to start the vehicle,' or '启发学生' (qǐfā xuéshēng), meaning 'to enlighten the students.'
Some synonyms include 开始 (kāishǐ, to start) and 开启 (kāiqǐ, to open/start), though 启 has a broader or more formal usage.
While it can be used in conversation, it's more commonly found in written contexts like literature or formal discussions.
