Meanings of 开
By ear
Play it, then pick what 开 means.
About 开
Podcast: 开
Podcast: 开
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Drill the tone of 开, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 开 to you
Let me explain 开 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 开 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 开?
Learning Lab
Knowing 开 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
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
What kind of character is 开?
Decomposition of 开
Parts
Which of these is part of 开?
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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
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.
...
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)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 开?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 开
Characters with 开
What does 并 mean?
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).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 开?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.