开放

• Pinyin: kāi fàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = simplified from 開, meaning to open; 放 = 方 (direction, phonetic) + 攵 (to strike), meaning to release or let go

Meaning

To open up; open; to be accessible. Describes making something available to the public or adopting a liberal attitude.

Can be used for physical places (the park is open), policies (open-door policy), attitudes (open-minded), or events (open to registration). Historically associated with China's Reform and Opening Up (改革开放) policy. Can also describe flowers blooming.

Examples

1. 这个公园免费对市民开放。 This park is free and open to residents.
2. 中国的改革开放改变了很多。 China's Reform and Opening Up changed a lot.
3. 他是一个思想很开放的人。 He is a very open-minded person.

Usage Guide

Context: policy, access, attitude

Tone: progressive

Do Say

• 图书馆周末也开放吗？(Is the library open on weekends too?)
• 年轻人的想法越来越开放了。(Young people's thinking is becoming more and more open.)

Don't Say

• 请开放门。(Don't use 开放 for physically opening a door — use 打开. 开放 is for access policies and attitudes. Say 请打开门.)

Origin & History

Compound of 开 (to open) and 放 (to release, to let go). Together: 'to open and release' — making something accessible and unrestricted.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal