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啓 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
啓qǐto open; to explain; to beginzg, 11 strokes, radical 口
qǐ(qi3)qi T3
  1. 1to open; to explain; to begin
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March 24, 2026

啓(唘)qǐ(qi3)

The character 啓 (qǐ) conveys the idea of opening or initiating something, such as opening a door or beginning a discussion. It is often used in contexts where one is starting a process or explaining something in detail. This character can also appear in formal writings, making it versatile in both spoken and written Chinese.

Strokes11Radical口
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, the act of opening is often associated with new beginnings or fresh starts, such as in ceremonies or festivals. The character can be seen in phrases related to education, symbolizing the opening of one's mind through learning.

Memory tip

Imagine a door (口) that is being opened (启) to let in fresh air (气). The door symbolizes the act of opening, while the air represents new beginnings. The pronunciation 'qǐ' sounds like 'key', which you use to open doors.

Meanings of 啓

qǐ(qi3)
1to open; to explain; to begin
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 啓

啓Simplified
唘Traditional
11Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 啓

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AI study notes for 啓

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 啓 with similar sounding characters, such as 起 (qǐ), which means 'to rise' or 'to start'. Remember that 啓 is more formal and often used in literary or official contexts. Be mindful of using the correct tone (the third tone) to avoid mispronunciation.

HSK Study Tips

While 啓 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is beneficial to recognize it alongside similar characters like 起 (qǐ) and 开 (kāi), which also mean to open or start. Focus on the context in which these characters are used to deepen your understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 啓 with its variant form 启, which has the same pronunciation but is more commonly used. For example, saying '我想啓这个话题' instead of '我想启这个话题' would be incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 啓

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Etymology of 啓

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

To knock 攵 at the door 户

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 啓?

Decomposition of 啓

IDS Structure⿱⿰户攵口
啓Full character
=
户hu4
left
攵pu1
right
口kou3
Exercise 1 of 3

Parts

Which of these is part of 啓?

How to say to open; to explain; to begin in Chinese

“to open; to explain; to begin” in Chinese is啓qǐ

The character 啓 (qǐ) conveys the idea of opening or initiating something, such as opening a door or beginning a discussion. It is often used in contexts where one is starting a process or explaining something in detail. This character can also appear in formal writings, making it versatile in both spoken and written Chinese.

When to use 啓

Common mistakes include confusing 啓 with similar sounding characters, such as 起 (qǐ), which means 'to rise' or 'to start'. Remember that 啓 is more formal and often used in literary or official contexts. Be mindful of using the correct tone (the third tone) to avoid mispronunciation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 啓 with its variant form 启, which has the same pronunciation but is more commonly used. For example, saying '我想啓这个话题' instead of '我想启这个话题' would be incorrect.

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啓

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Word Family of 啓

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qǐyòngto 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nányǐqǐchǐto find it hard to speak about sth難以啟齒
启迪qǐdíto edify啟迪
启示录qǐshìlùthe Apocalypse啟示錄
启航qǐháng(of a ship) to set sail啟航
启齿qǐchǐto open one's mouth啟齒
梁启超liángqǐchāoLiang Qichao (1873-1929), influential journalist and a leader of the failed reform movement of 1898梁啟超
启动子qǐdòngzipromoter啟動子
启明qǐmíngClassical Chinese name for planet Venus in the east before dawn啟明
承前启后chéngqiánqǐhòuforming a bridge between earlier and later stages承前啟後
启东qǐdōngQidong county level city in Nantong 南通[Nán​tōng], Jiangsu啟東
启发式qǐfāshìheuristic啟發式
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 啓

What does 启动 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 啓

啓 is often more formal and literary, whereas 开 is more commonly used in everyday speech to mean 'to open'.

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