开门 (kāimén) means 'to open the door.' It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as welcoming guests or starting a new opportunity. The phrase is often encountered in everyday situations, making it a fundamental expression for beginners in Mandarin.
HSK 1, 16 strokes, Hard
kāimén(kai1men2) T1
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May 27, 2026
开门kāimén(kai1men2)
开门 (kāimén) means 'to open the door.' It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as welcoming guests or starting a new opportunity. The phrase is often encountered in everyday situations, making it a fundamental expression for beginners in Mandarin.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of opening a door can symbolize hospitality and welcoming. It is customary for hosts to greet guests at the door, highlighting the importance of personal connections and etiquette in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant key that unlocks a grand door, and as you turn the key, the door swings open with a loud 'kāi!' Picture this door leading to exciting adventures or new friendships, reinforcing the idea of 'opening' up to new possibilities.
About 开门
开门Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryHSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 开门
Podcast: 开门
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AI Study Notes for 开门
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant key that unlocks a grand door, and as you turn the key, the door swings open with a loud 'kāi!' Picture this door leading to exciting adventures or new friendships, reinforcing the idea of 'opening' up to new possibilities.
Usage Notes
Learners should note that 开门 can be used both literally and figuratively. For example, using it in a polite context when welcoming someone can enhance communication. Be careful with tones, as mispronunciation might change the intended meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 1 vocabulary word, students should practice using 开门 in simple sentences. Focus on associating it with other basic verbs and nouns, such as 'door' (门) and 'to open' (开), to build a foundational understanding of sentence structure.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of opening a door can symbolize hospitality and welcoming. It is customary for hosts to greet guests at the door, highlighting the importance of personal connections and etiquette in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the tones and say 'kāimeng' instead of 'kāimén.' Additionally, some might mistakenly use it inappropriately in a figurative context without clear indication, such as saying '我开门' (wǒ kāimén) when referring to starting a new project.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 开门
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Cultural Notes for 开门
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of opening a door can symbolize hospitality and welcoming. It is customary for hosts to greet guests at the door, highlighting the importance of personal connections and etiquette in social interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about 开门
You can say '请开门' (qǐng kāimén), which means 'Please open the door.'
开门 is informal and commonly used in everyday conversation.
Yes, 开门 can also be used metaphorically, such as '开门见山' (kāimén jiàn shān), meaning to get straight to the point.
