开门
开open门door=open the door
开
开 (kāi) Chinese Character: open, start
Two sides move apart — the way is open.
Practice 开 in the interactive lessonChinese character story: Open the Door
开 (kāi) is the simplified form of 開, a character built around the idea of opening a gate. From that physical action came many everyday meanings: open a door, turn on a light, begin a class, or start working. Picture two doors moving apart and a new space appearing.
🧩 Word buildingSee what every part contributes
Chinese words often combine short meaning clues. Fixed expressions are clearly marked so you do not translate them too literally.
开车
开operate车vehicle=drive a vehicle
Chinese character origin and etymology
开 is documented as a basic character form. Its earlier written forms gradually became the regular-script shape used today.
In modern simplified Chinese, 开 is written with 4 strokes. This lesson separates documented shape history from the memory story so learners do not mistake a mnemonic for a historical claim. 开 works as one complete form rather than a puzzle made from smaller modern components. Learning its overall silhouette is useful because the same shape may later appear inside more complex characters.
Chinese character stroke order and structure
开 is written with 4 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.
- 开 — simplified form of 開, “to open”
Common usage and sentence patterns
The examples below show 开 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.
请开门。
Please open the door.
商店九点开门。
The shop opens at nine.
我们开始学习吧。
Let's start studying.
Learning tips for 开
Learn the reading as one unit: kāi, with the first tone: high and level. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “open, start,” and write the 4 strokes from memory.
Because 开 is a basic form, focus on its proportions and stroke direction. Compare it with 关 (guān, close — the opposite of 开); 开始 (kāishǐ, begin, start); 开心 (kāixīn, happy — literally “open heart”). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.
Quick review checklist
- Can you recognize 开 without pinyin?
- Can you say kāi with the correct tone and explain “open, start”?
- Can you write all 4 strokes in order?
- Can you use 开 in one short sentence?
Related characters
- 关 (guān) — close — the opposite of 开
- 开始 (kāishǐ) — begin, start
- 开心 (kāixīn) — happy — literally “open heart”
Learn 开 in a themed collection
Compare this character with related beginner words. A themed path helps you notice useful pairs, word-building patterns, and everyday contexts.
Continue learning Chinese characters
Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.
Sources and editorial note
HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.
Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.