Definitions

kāi (verb) to open; to start
kāi (verb) to turn on; to operate (a vehicle)
kāi (verb) to boil

Etymology

Simplified form of . Pictograph of two hands () opening the bolt () on a door (). The traditional component was removed for simplification.

About

The character "开" in its current simplified form is derived from the traditional character "開", which is composed of the door radical 門 and the component 开, itself a variant representing two hands lifting a bolt or bar. This structure clearly indicates the original concrete meaning of "to open", such as opening a door or a container. Over time, this core meaning expanded metaphorically to encompass a wide range of initiating actions, including to start, to operate, to hold (an event), and to establish. The simplified form "开" adopted in common use today is a retention of the inner phonetic and semantic component from the traditional character, effectively streamlining the glyph while retaining its essential concept.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

车去上班。

Wǒ kāichē qù shàngbān.

I drive to work.

门让我进去。

Qǐng kāimén ràng wǒ jìnqù.

Please open the door and let me in.

学校明天始放假。

Xuéxiào míngtiān kāishǐ fàngjià.

School starts holiday tomorrow.

春天来了,花儿都了。

Chūntiān lái le, huār dōu kāi le.

Spring is here, and flowers are blooming.

发了一个新的软件。

Tā kāifā le yī gè xīn de ruǎnjiàn.

He developed a new software.

如果你不心,可以跟我说。

Rúguǒ nǐ bù kāixīn, kěyǐ gēn wǒ shuō.

If you are unhappy, you can tell me.

改革放政策促进了经济发展。

Gǎigé kāifàng zhèngcè cùjìn le jīngjì fāzhǎn.

The reform and opening-up policy promoted economic development.

在会议上,他公提出了自己的观点。

Zài huìyì shàng, tā gōngkāi tíchū le zìjǐ de guāndiǎn.

At the meeting, he openly expressed his own viewpoint.