开启

• Pinyin: kāi qǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 开 = to open; 启 = 户 (door) + 口 (mouth) — to open, to enlighten

Meaning

To open; to turn on; to initiate; to launch.

A slightly formal word for opening or starting something — can be physical (opening a door, turning on a device) or abstract (starting a new era, launching a program). More literary than 打开. Collocates with 新篇章 (new chapter), 模式 (mode), 大门 (door), 时代 (era).

Examples

1. 这款手机支持指纹识别，可以快速开启屏幕。 This phone supports fingerprint recognition and can quickly unlock the screen.
2. 两国领导人的会晤开启了双边关系的新篇章。 The meeting between the two countries' leaders opened a new chapter in bilateral relations.
3. 航天技术的突破为人类探索宇宙开启了新的可能。 Breakthroughs in aerospace technology have opened new possibilities for humanity's exploration of the universe.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, formal occasions, news

Tone: neutral to positive

Do Say

• 请开启手机的定位功能。(Please turn on your phone's location feature.)
• 这标志着我们开启了合作的新阶段。(This marks the beginning of a new phase of our cooperation.)

Don't Say

• 开启这瓶可乐给我。(For casual actions like opening a bottle, just use 打开 — 开启 sounds overly formal)

Origin & History

开 (to open) + 启 (to start, inspire — 户 door + 口 mouth). To open and start.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal