开业

• Pinyin: kāi yè
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = simplified from 開, meaning to open; 业 = simplified from 業, originally a rack for instruments, extended to mean profession or business

Meaning

To open for business; grand opening. When a shop, restaurant, or company begins operating.

Refers specifically to the first day a business opens its doors to customers, or the event celebrating this occasion. Also used for when a business reopens after renovation or holiday closure. Related: 营业 (to do business), 停业 (to cease business).

Examples

1. 这家新餐厅下个月开业。 This new restaurant opens next month.
2. 开业那天来了很多客人。 Many customers came on opening day.
3. 商店装修好了，准备开业了。 The shop has finished renovating and is ready to open for business.

Usage Guide

Context: business, commercial, everyday

Tone: celebratory

Do Say

• 恭喜你的店开业！(Congratulations on your shop's grand opening!)
• 新开业的商场人特别多。(The newly opened mall is packed with people.)

Don't Say

• 学校明天开业。(Don't use 开业 for schools — it's for commercial businesses. Say 学校明天开学 for a school starting its term.)

Origin & History

Compound of 开 (to open, to start) and 业 (business, profession). Literally 'to open one's business' — the commencement of commercial operations.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal