What does 開 mean in Japanese?
開 means “open” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 開く (to open), 開ける (to open something), and 開始 (start).
For learners, the key is to study 開 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: カイ (kai)
Kun’yomi: ひら-く (hira-ku), あ-ける (a-keru), あ-く (a-ku)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 開 |
|---|
How to Understand This Kanji
開 is not limited to one English translation. In 開く (ひらく), it means to open; in 開ける (あける), it points to to open something; and in 開始 (かいし), it is used for start. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 開く（ひらく / hiraku） — to open
- 開ける（あける / akeru） — to open something
- 開始（かいし / kaishi） — start
- 開店（かいてん / kaiten） — opening a shop
- 公開（こうかい / kōkai） — public release
- 開発（かいはつ / kaihatsu） — development
Example Sentences
-
店は十時に開きます。
みせはじゅうじにひらきます。 / Mise wa jū-ji ni hirakimasu.
The shop opens at ten o’clock.
-
窓を少し開けてください。
まどをすこしあけてください。 / Mado o sukoshi akete kudasai.
Please open the window a little.
-
会議は午後に開始します。
かいぎはごごにかいしします。 / Kaigi wa gogo ni kaishi shimasu.
The meeting will start in the afternoon.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 開く (ひらく / hiraku) because it keeps the core meaning of 開 clear. Then add 開ける and 開始 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 開 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
開 means “open” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 開く, 開ける, and 開始.