Meanings of 开
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Podcast: 开
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AI Study Notes for 开
开 (kāi) vs 打开 (dǎkāi) — use 开 for starting or initiating actions more generally, while 打开 specifically emphasizes the action of opening something physically.
Common mistakes include confusing 开 (kāi) with other similar-sounding verbs. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful with tone; always pronounce it as 'kāi' (first tone) to avoid misunderstandings. Typical collocations include 开门 (kāi mén - to open the door) and 开车 (kāi chē - to drive).
As a HSK Level 1 word, 开 (kāi) connects with other basic verbs and actions, making it foundational for building simple sentences. Students should focus on practicing its usage in various contexts to enhance their vocabulary and speaking skills.
Learners often mix up 开 (kāi) with other verbs like 关 (guān - to close). For example, saying '关门' (guān mén) when they mean to say 'open the door' instead of '开门' (kāi mén). Always remember that 开 is for opening or starting.
Pronunciation of 开
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Etymology of 开
Simplified form of 開. Pictograph of two hands opening the bolt on a door. The traditional component 門 was removed for simplification.
Simplified form of 開; hands 廾 lifting the latch 一 of a door
Origin
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Decomposition of 开
Parts
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How to say to open in Chinese
“to open” in Chinese is开
The character 开 (kāi) primarily means 'to open' or 'to start.' It is widely used in various contexts, such as opening a door, starting a vehicle, or initiating a process like boiling water. This versatility makes it a fundamental verb in everyday conversation.
When to use 开
Common mistakes include confusing 开 (kāi) with other similar-sounding verbs. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful with tone; always pronounce it as 'kāi' (first tone) to avoid misunderstandings. Typical collocations include 开门 (kāi mén - to open the door) and 开车 (kāi chē - to drive).
开 or something close to it
开 (kāi) vs 打开 (dǎkāi) — use 开 for starting or initiating actions more generally, while 打开 specifically emphasizes the action of opening something physically.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 开 (kāi) with other verbs like 关 (guān - to close). For example, saying '关门' (guān mén) when they mean to say 'open the door' instead of '开门' (kāi mén). Always remember that 开 is for opening or starting.
Write 开
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Practice writing 开 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 开
开 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 13 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.
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这是我开的车。
This is the car that I drove.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
妈妈会做饭，也会____车。
Mom can cook, and she can also drive.
Common Confusions with 开
Similar sound but different meaning.
开 means to open or turn on, while 关 means to close or turn off.
请开门。/ 请关门。
开 means to open or turn on, while 关 means to close or turn off.
Which one
Which one means “to open”?
Usage Notes for 开
Learners often confuse 开 with 关 when describing actions related to doors or devices.
我想关灯。
I want to turn off the light.
Example Sentences for 开 (16)
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Word Family of 开
Characters with 开
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Frequently Asked Questions about 开
Common phrases include 开车 (kāi chē - to drive), 开门 (kāi mén - to open the door), and 开会 (kāi huì - to hold a meeting).
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