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开枪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
开枪kāiqiāngto open fireHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #728, Very Hard
开枪kāiqiāngto shoot a gunHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #728, Very Hard
kāiqiāng(kai1qiang1)kai qiang T1
  1. 1to open fire
  2. 2to shoot a gun
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March 24, 2026

开枪(開槍)kāiqiāng(kai1qiang1)

开枪 (kāi qiāng) means 'to open fire' or 'to shoot a gun.' This term is commonly used in contexts related to firearms, law enforcement, or military actions. It conveys a sense of initiating gunfire, often in situations of conflict or defense.

Strokes12Frequency#728DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions about firearms can be sensitive due to the country's strict gun control laws. The term 开枪 may invoke serious themes related to law enforcement or military rather than casual references.

Memory Tip

Imagine a door (开) swinging open to reveal a powerful gun (枪) ready to fire. The '开' means to open, and '枪' represents a gun. Visualizing a door opening to unleash a gun helps connect the pronunciation 'kāi qiāng' with its meaning.

Meanings of 开枪

kāiqiāng(kai1qiang1)
1to open fire
2to shoot a gun
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About 开枪

开枪Simplified
開槍Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 开枪

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AI Study Notes for 开枪

Quick Contrast

射击 (shèjī) - use 开枪 when emphasizing the act of initiating gunfire in conflict situations, while 射击 is more general for shooting.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 开枪 with other similar terms related to shooting. It's important to use it in contexts involving actual gunfire or military actions, rather than metaphorical uses. Be mindful that this phrase is generally more appropriate in formal or serious contexts rather than casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 开枪 is not in the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to actions and weapons found in HSK levels that discuss verbs and nouns. Focus on understanding the radicals: 开 (open) and 枪 (gun) to help remember its meaning.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use 开枪 to refer to non-firearm contexts, such as arguing or shouting. It's crucial to remember that this term specifically pertains to shooting a gun, not general aggressive behavior.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 开枪

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Component Characters

开kāito open
HSK 14 strokes廾
View full entry
枪qiānggun
HSK 68 strokes木
View full entry

How to say to open fire in Chinese

“to open fire” in Chinese is开枪kāiqiāng

开枪 (kāi qiāng) means 'to open fire' or 'to shoot a gun.' This term is commonly used in contexts related to firearms, law enforcement, or military actions. It conveys a sense of initiating gunfire, often in situations of conflict or defense.

When to use 开枪

Learners often confuse 开枪 with other similar terms related to shooting. It's important to use it in contexts involving actual gunfire or military actions, rather than metaphorical uses. Be mindful that this phrase is generally more appropriate in formal or serious contexts rather than casual conversation.

开枪 or something close to it

射击 (shèjī) - use 开枪 when emphasizing the act of initiating gunfire in conflict situations, while 射击 is more general for shooting.

What learners get wrong

Learners might mistakenly use 开枪 to refer to non-firearm contexts, such as arguing or shouting. It's crucial to remember that this term specifically pertains to shooting a gun, not general aggressive behavior.

Write 开枪

开
枪

Practice writing 开枪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 开枪

No, 开枪 is used more in formal or serious contexts, such as news reports or discussions about law enforcement.

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