开 (kāi) — to open (a door, window, etc.); to drive (a vehicle), to operate (a machine), to turn on; to boil (water)
Definition
Basic everyday verb meaning 'to open' or 'to turn on', used for doors, windows, devices, and also 'to drive' a vehicle. Pairs with 打开 for opening physical things, while 关闭 is the formal opposite 'to close / shut down'.
verb
to open (a door, window, etc.)to drive (a vehicle)to operate (a machine)to turn onto boil (water)
Examples
- ？Nǐ kāi mén ma?Do you open the door?
- 。Tā kāi chē qù shāng diàn.He drives to the store.
- 开？Shuǐ kāi le ma?Has the water boiled?
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 開; 开 is its simplified writing.
- 門門méndoor
- 一一yīlatch and/or wooden pole that shuts a door
- 廾廾gǒnga pair of hands
The traditional form 開 shows 廾, a pair of hands, and 一, a latch or pole, inside 門, a door: hands opening a latched door. The simplified 开 is a shorthand form, so its parts are not the original pieces.
Grammar
Appears in
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