开 (kāi) — to open / to turn on

开 (kāi)

A versatile verb meaning "to open," "to turn on" (a device or light), and "to drive" (a vehicle). It covers the general idea of activating or opening something. Its antonym is 关 (guān), meaning "to close" or "to turn off."

Meanings

1. [verb] To open (a door, window, a book).
2. [verb] To turn on (a light, TV, appliance).
3. [verb] To drive (a car, vehicle).

Example Sentences

请开门。 Qǐng kāi mén. Please open the door.

把电视开一下。 Bǎ diànshì kāi yīxià. Turn on the TV for a moment.

他会开车。 Tā huì kāichē. He knows how to drive.

请把窗户开开，空气不好。 Qǐng bǎ chuānghù kāi kāi, kōngqì bù hǎo. Please open the window, the air is bad in here.

Collocations

Memory Hook

Antonym of 关 (guān, to close/turn off). Think: 开 = "key" — you use a key to open something. Open the door, turn on the lights, start the engine — all with 开.