开工

• Pinyin: kāi gōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = to open, start; 工 = pictograph of a carpenter's square — work, construction

Meaning

To start work; to begin construction; to commence operations.

Refers to the commencement of construction projects or the resumption of work (after holidays, for example). Also used casually for starting one's workday. The opposite of 竣工 (completion). Collocates with 建设 (construction), 仪式 (ceremony), 复工 (resume work), 日期 (date).

Examples

1. 这个地铁延长线项目已于上月正式开工，预计三年后通车。 This subway extension project officially broke ground last month and is expected to open in three years.
2. 春节假期结束，各大企业陆续开工，城市又恢复了往日的忙碌。 After the Spring Festival holiday, major enterprises gradually resumed work, and the city returned to its usual busyness.
3. 由于环评没通过，该项目被迫推迟开工时间。 Due to the environmental assessment not passing, the project was forced to delay its start date.

Usage Guide

Context: construction, business, work

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 项目下周一正式开工。(The project officially starts next Monday.)
• 开工大吉！(May the start of work bring good luck! — a common New Year greeting)

Don't Say

• 我今天开工了一本书。(开工 is for construction/work, not starting to read — use 开始读)

Origin & History

开 (to start) + 工 (work, construction). To start construction/work.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal