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March 24, 2026
开动(開動)kāidòng(kai1dong4)
开动 (kai1 dong4) means to start or set something in motion. It can refer to physical actions, such as moving or operating machinery, as well as metaphorically, like beginning a meal. In casual contexts, it is often used to invite someone to start eating.
Frequency#7119DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese dining culture, saying 开动 is a jovial way to encourage guests to start eating, reflecting the importance of hospitality and shared meals in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a starting gun (开) that prompts runners to move (动). Visualize the gunshot echoing through a quiet field, representing the moment something begins. The sound of 'kai' is like the gun's bang, and 'dong' is the rush of movement that follows.
Meanings of 开动
kāidòng(kai1dong4)
1to start
2to set in motion
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About 开动
开动Simplified
開動Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 开动
Podcast: 开动
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AI Study Notes for 开动
Quick Contrast
启动 (qǐdòng) - use 开动 when referring to starting something in a more casual or informal context, while 启动 is often used in more formal or technical situations.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a starting gun (开) that prompts runners to move (动). Visualize the gunshot echoing through a quiet field, representing the moment something begins. The sound of 'kai' is like the gun's bang, and 'dong' is the rush of movement that follows.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 开动 with just 开 (kai1), which means 'to open' or 'to start' without the motion aspect. Register-wise, 开动 is informal and suitable for casual conversations, especially when inviting someone to eat. Be careful with tones; saying kai4 dong4 could create confusion.
HSK Study Tips
Though 开动 is not in the HSK word list, it connects to other HSK words that involve movement and action (like 动, which means 'to move'). At this level, focus on recognizing how verbs like 开动 can serve multiple functions in different contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese dining culture, saying 开动 is a jovial way to encourage guests to start eating, reflecting the importance of hospitality and shared meals in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 开动 in formal contexts, where a word like 开始 would be more appropriate. For example, saying 开动会议 (kai1 dong4 hui4 yi4) instead of 开始会议 (kai1 shi3 hui4 yi4) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 开动
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Cultural Notes for 开动
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese dining culture, saying 开动 is a jovial way to encourage guests to start eating, reflecting the importance of hospitality and shared meals in social interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 开动
While you technically could, it's more appropriate for physical actions or meals. For meetings, phrases like 开始 (kai1 shi3) are better.
No, it can refer to any action or movement, but it's most commonly used in the context of starting to eat.
开动 emphasizes motion and action, while 开始 simply means 'to start' and is more general.
