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开启 (kāi qǐ) — to open (a door, window, etc.); to start (a new phase, journey, etc.); (computing) to enable (a function, feature)

Definition

开启 (kāiqǐ) is a more formal verb meaning 'to open/start' — used for doors/windows but especially for new phases, eras, or systems. More written than 打开; pairs with 启用 in computing, where 启用 is more common for officially starting use of a system.

verb
to open (a door, window, etc.)to start (a new phase, journey, etc.)(computing) to enable (a function, feature)

Examples

  • 开启。
    Qǐng kāi qǐ yí xià zhè shàn chuāng hu.
    Please open this window.
  • 开启。
    Zhè cì hé zuò kāi qǐ le xīn de jī huì.
    This cooperation opened up new opportunities.
  • 开启。
    Zài shè zhì zhōng kāi qǐ zhè ge gōng néng.
    Enable this function in the settings.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

开kāiopen
启qǐstart

开 and 启 both mean to open or start; together they describe opening a door, beginning a phase, or enabling a function.

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 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.

Open 开 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Change & Process

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