Definition
开 (kāi) is a basic verb with several common meanings: to open (a door/window), to drive (a car), to turn on (a device), and for water to boil. For physically opening something, 打开 (dǎ kāi) is more specific and common; for boiling water, 煮 (zhǔ) means to cook food in boiling water, while 开 just means the water reaches a boil.
verb
to open (a door, window, etc.)to drive (a vehicle)to operate (a machine)to turn onto boil (water)
Easily confused
- 升shēnglook-aliketo rise, to go up; to increase (temperature, prices, etc.)
- 并bìnglook-alike(verb) to combine, to merge
- 弄nònglook-aliketo do, to handle, to manage (general action)
Examples
- ?Nǐ kāi mén ma?Do you open the door?
- 。Tā kāi chē qù shāngdiàn.He drives to the store.
- 开?Shuǐ kāi le ma?Has the water boiled?
Grammar
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