開

Open

ひら(く) (hiraku), あ(く) (aku), あ(ける) (akeru)

JLPT N4

Interesting Fact

The kanji 開 appears in 開店 (kaiten), meaning 'opening a store,' and 開始 (kaishi), meaning 'starting something.' The idea is always about opening or beginning.

Memory Trick

Imagine opening a large gate to reveal a beautiful garden. That opening motion helps you remember 開 means 'open.'

Readings

Onyomi: カイ (kai)

Kunyomi: ひら(く) (hiraku), あ(く) (aku), あ(ける) (akeru)

Example 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)

Store opening

Example Sentence

窓を開けてください。

まどをあけてください。

mado o akete kudasai

Please open the window.

Related Kanjis