开 Stroke Order — How to Write 开
开 is written in 4 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 廾, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
开 Radical and Character Components
开 is an ideographic compound. Simplified form of 開; hands 廾 lifting the latch 一 of a door.
Radical: 廾 + 1 more stroke
开 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- kāi
Meanings of 开 in Chinese
1
kāi开
To open, to start, to turn on something that was closed or off.
请帮我把窗户打开。
Please help me open the window.
To divide or split, specifically used to denote paper sizes in printing (e.g., folio, octavo).
印刷厂正在生产大开本的杂志。
The printing factory is producing large-format magazines.
To enlighten; to help someone understand or become perceptive, often implying a sudden realization or breakthrough in understanding.
经过反复练习，他终于开窍了，掌握了这个技巧。
After repeated practice, he finally got it and mastered the technique.
To reveal, uncover, or open up, as in exploiting resources or developing new areas.
这家公司正在积极开辟新的市场来扩大业务。
This company is actively opening up new markets to expand its business.
to expand; to broaden; to develop
旅行可以开阔我们的视野，增长知识
Traveling can broaden our horizons and increase our knowledge.
To start (a machine or engine); to drive (a vehicle); to operate (machinery).
他每天开车去上班。
He drives to work every day.
To begin, to start; to open (e.g., a business for the day).
这家餐厅早上十点准时开门营业。
This restaurant opens for business promptly at 10 AM.
To set up, establish, or found (e.g., a business, an organization, a new era).
他们决定在这个社区开设一家新的咖啡馆。
They decided to open a new coffee shop in this community.
To issue or draw up (a document, a list, etc.)
医生给我开了一个药方。
The doctor wrote me a prescription.
To pay or spend money; an expense or expenditure.
每个月都要开一笔大钱。
A large sum of money has to be spent every month.
To boil; boiling (of water).
水开了吗？我想泡面。
Has the water boiled? I want to make instant noodles.
To hold or organize (an event, a meeting, etc.).
我们明天要开一个重要的会议。
We are going to hold an important meeting tomorrow.
Used after a verb to indicate an outcome where something is moved away or separated.
请把手拿开。
Please take your hand away.
Common Words and Phrases with 开
1
(of troops) to set out; to depart
远足队在黎明时分接到通知，准备好一切后，明天一早就要开拔，向着山顶进发
The hiking team received notice at dawn, and after preparing everything, they will set off early tomorrow, heading towards the mountain peak.
2
To open, set up, start, or found (a new enterprise or institution).
他们决定开办一所私立学校。
They decided to open a private school.
3
Book format or size, determined by how many times a printing sheet is folded or divided.
这本书的开本很小巧，非常适合外出携带阅读
This book's format is very compact, making it ideal for carrying and reading on the go.
4
to begin to write; to start one's literary career or make the first writing of a new year.
春节过后，他便在家中书房开笔，开始撰写新的小说。
After the Spring Festival, he began writing in his study, commencing his new novel.
5
to step forward; to start walking
教练一声令下，队员们立刻开步，向终点线跑去
At the coach's command, the team members immediately set off, running towards the finish line.
6
To mine, extract, or exploit natural resources.
这家公司正在积极研究新的技术，以更环保的方式开采地下矿物。
This company is actively researching new technologies to extract underground minerals in a more environmentally friendly way.
7
The beginning of a performance, show, or event; an opening.
音乐会的开场非常精彩，立刻吸引了所有观众的注意力。
The opening of the concert was absolutely brilliant, immediately capturing the attention of all the audience.
8
wide open; open and spacious
这个房间非常开敞，阳光充足。
This room is very open and spacious, with plenty of sunshine.
9
Opening remarks, an introduction, or a prologue.
他的开场白很幽默，很快就吸引了所有观众的注意力。
His opening remarks were very humorous and quickly captivated the attention of all the audience.
10
Happy, cheerful, and open-minded.
站在山顶，视野开畅，令人心旷神怡。
Standing on the mountain peak, the view is open and unobstructed, making one feel refreshed and joyful.
11
12
To speak frankly and sincerely; to be open and honest.
他们决定坐下来开诚布公地谈一谈，以解决彼此间的误会。
They decided to sit down and have a frank and open talk to resolve their misunderstandings.
13
To be open and sincere with each other; to treat someone with genuine frankness.
朋友之间应该开诚相见，这样才能增进彼此的信任。
Friends should be open and frank with each other to foster mutual trust.
14
at first; early on; at the beginning
开初我们对这个项目了解不多，但后来逐渐熟悉了。
Initially, we didn't know much about this project, but later we gradually became familiar with it.
15
To expel or dismiss someone from a school, organization, or job.
小王因为工作表现不佳被公司开除了。
Xiao Wang was fired from the company due to poor work performance.
16
To set sail; for a boat to start its journey on water.
我们明天早上八点开船去海岛玩。
We will set sail for the island to have fun at 8 AM tomorrow morning.
More words with 开
- zhǎn展kāi开To expand, spread out, or develop.
- zhāng张kāi开To open; to spread open.
- chǎng敞kāi开To open wide; to be fully open.
- gé隔kāi开to separate; to divide
- jiē揭kāi开uncover, reveal
- liè裂kāi开to break, split open, or rend
- zhào召kāi开convene, hold
- bā扒kāi开To part or push open with hands.
- bō拨kāi开to push aside
- chà岔kāi开branch off, divert
- cuò错kāi开stagger, space out
- dòng洞kāi开open wide; fully open
- duǒ躲kāi开to avoid; to get out of the way
- gē割kāi开cut open, slit
- gǔn滚kāi开Get lost!/Scram!
- liū溜kāi开slip away, sneak off
- pāo抛kāi开set aside, put aside
- shǎn闪kāi开Get out of the way; Move aside.
- shū疏kāi开disperse, spread out
- sōng松kāi开Release, Let go
Idioms with 开
- kāi开guó国gōng功chén臣founding hero
- kāi开guó国yuán元lǎo老founding elder statesman
- kāi开guó国yuán元xūn勋founding figure with great merit
- kāi开hé合zì自rú如operate freely and flexibly
- kāi开huā花jié结guǒ果bloom and bear fruit
- kāi开huái怀chàng畅yǐn饮drink heartily and without restraint
- kāi开huái怀tòng痛yǐn饮drink heartily and without restraint
- kāi开juàn卷yǒu有yì益Reading always brings benefits
- kāi开kē科qǔ取shì士hold imperial examinations to select scholars
- kāi开kǒu口jiàn见xīn心Speak one's true thoughts frankly
- kāi开lù路xiān先fēng锋pioneer who paves the way
- kāi开luó锣hè喝dào道make a grand announcement or display
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Open the tool →Questions about 开
What does 开 mean in Chinese?
开 (kāi) means “To open” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 开?
开 is pronounced kāi in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 开 have?
开 has 4 strokes.
How do you write 开?
开 is written in 4 strokes, starting from the radical 廾. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 开?
The radical of 开 is 廾, and 开 is an ideographic compound.
