Usage note
开表示让关闭的东西打开，也可以表示启动电器。
kāi biǎoshì ràng guānbì de dōngxi dǎkāi, yě kěyǐ biǎoshì qǐdòng diànqì.
This word means to open something that is closed, like a door or a book, or to turn on a device like a light or a TV.
Context note
“开”这个动作常用在打开门、窗、书本，或者打开电器的时候。它属于日常生活中的动作词。
“kāi” zhège dòngzuò cháng yòng zài dǎkāi mén, chuāng, shūběn, huòzhě dǎkāi diànqì de shíhou. Tā shǔyú rìcháng shēnghuó zhōng de dòngzuò cí.
The action “开” is often used when opening doors, windows, or books, or when turning on electrical devices. It is an action word from daily life.
5 examples
开窗户
kāi chuānghu
open the window
开关灯
kāi guāndēng
turn on/off the light
开学了
kāi xuéliǎo
school is back in session
开锁
kāi suǒ
pick a lock
开机
kāi jī
turn on the computer
5 mini stories
早上，小猫咪用爪子推开门，跑进花园里。它开心地追蝴蝶。
Zǎoshang, xiǎo māomī yòng zhuǎzi tuī kāi mén, pǎo jìn huāyuán lǐ. Tā kāixīn de zhuī húdié.
In the morning, the little cat pushed the door open with its paw and ran into the garden. It happily chased butterflies.
教室里有点暗，老师走到墙边，轻轻打开灯。大家开始读书。
Jiàoshì lǐ yǒudiǎn àn, lǎoshī zǒu dào qiáng biān, qīngqīng dǎ kāi dēng. Dàjiā kāishǐ dúshū.
The classroom was a bit dark, so the teacher walked to the wall and gently turned on the light. Everyone started reading.
妈妈从超市回来，打开冰箱，把牛奶放进去。她笑着说晚饭有好吃的。
Māma cóng chāoshì huílái, dǎ kāi bīngxiāng, bǎ niúnǎi fàng jìnqù. Tā xiàozhe shuō wǎnfàn yǒu hǎochī de.
Mom came back from the supermarket, opened the fridge, and put the milk inside. She smiled and said there would be something yummy for dinner.
小明收到一个生日礼物，他小心地打开盒子，里面是一只玩具小熊。他高兴地跳起来。
Xiǎo Míng shōudào yīgè shēngrì lǐwù, tā xiǎoxīn de dǎ kāi hézi, lǐmiàn shì yī zhī wánjù xiǎo xióng. Tā gāoxìng de tiào qǐlái.
Xiao Ming received a birthday gift. He carefully opened the box, and inside was a toy bear. He jumped up with joy.
下雨了，爸爸在车站打开雨伞，拉着我的手一起走回家。路上有很多小水坑。
Xià yǔ le, bàba zài chēzhàn dǎ kāi yǔsǎn, lāzhe wǒ de shǒu yīqǐ zǒu huí jiā. Lùshang yǒu hěnduō xiǎo shuǐkēng.
It started raining, so Dad opened the umbrella at the bus stop and held my hand as we walked home together. There were many little puddles on the way.
Mini dialogue
请开门
A
请开门。
Qǐng kāi mén.
Please open the door.
B
好的，我开。
Hǎo de, wǒ kāi.
Okay, I'll open it.
开灯
A
太暗了，可以开灯吗？
Tài àn le, kě yǐ kāi dēng ma?
It's too dark, can you turn on the light?
B
当然，我开灯。
Dāng rán, wǒ kāi dēng.
Of course, I'll turn on the light.
Related words and contrasts
opposite
关
guān
to close; to turn off
the opposite action of opening or turning on
similar
打开
dǎ kāi
to open; to turn on
a common verb phrase meaning the same as 开