开通

• Pinyin: kāi tōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = 一 + 廾, to open; 通 = 辶 + 甬, to pass through/connect

Meaning

To open; to activate; to launch. Making a service, route, or feature available.

Used when services become operational: opening a train line, activating a phone service, or launching an online feature. Common phrases: 开通地铁 (open a subway line), 开通服务 (activate a service), 开通账号 (open an account). Also used figuratively for being open-minded (思想开通).

Examples

1. 新建的地铁线路下个月就要开通了，届时通勤会方便很多。 The newly built subway line will open next month, and commuting will be much more convenient.
2. 我刚把手机的国际漫游服务开通了，出国也能用。 I just activated international roaming on my phone, so I can use it abroad too.
3. 这个网站刚开通在线支付功能，购物更加便捷。 This website just launched online payment functionality, making shopping more convenient.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, services, technology

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 请帮我开通这项服务。(Please help me activate this service.)
• 高铁开通后，两地之间只需要两小时。(After the high-speed rail opened, it only takes two hours between the two places.)

Don't Say

• 用开通形容实体店开业 (开通 is for routes/services — for physical stores opening use 开业 or 开张)

Origin & History

Compound of 开 (to open) + 通 (to go through, to connect). Together meaning to open a passage or make something accessible.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal