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启用 (qǐ yòng) — to start using (a system, equipment, etc.); (computing) to enable (a feature)

Definition

启用 means to put a system, device, or feature into official use. Unlike 开启, it implies a formal decision to activate something that already exists, not merely to open or start a process.

verb
to start using (a system, equipment, etc.)(computing) to enable (a feature)

Examples

  • 启用。
    Gōng sī jué dìng xià ge yuè qǐ yòng xīn ruǎn jiàn.
    The company decided to start using the new software next month.
  • 启用。
    Qǐng xiān qǐ yòng zhè ge xuǎn xiàng zài jì xù.
    Please enable this option first before continuing.
  • 启用？
    Nǐ qǐ yòng le wú xiàn wǎng luò ma?
    Have you enabled the wireless network?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

启qǐopen
用yònguse

启用 combines 启 'open' or 'activate' with 用 'use', meaning to bring something into use.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 啟; 启 is its simplified writing.

For 启, the traditional form 啟 comes from an earlier shape with 戶 (door) and 又 (hand), showing a hand opening a door.

Open 启 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

用 was formed by adding a handle to an earlier form.

Open 用 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Technology & Engineering

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