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N4

Kanji 開: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 開: open, unfold, unseal

Key takeaways

Kanji 開: open, unfold, unseal. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N4

Meaning

openunfoldunseal

On reading

カイ

Kun reading

ひら.くひら.き-びら.きひら.けるあ.くあ.ける

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 開

open, unfold, unseal

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

門 + 开

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This kanji depicts lifting the bar of a large gate (門) with both hands (开) to open it. Imagine the scene of swinging a gate wide open (開) to allow passage.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

カイ
  • 開催かいさい

    hold an event / open a meeting

  • 開拓かいたく

    land reclamation / cultivation / pioneering

  • 開発かいはつ

    development / exploitation

  • 公開こうかい

    open to the public / presenting publicly

  • 切開せっかい

    cutting open / incision

  • 打開だかい

    break in the deadlock / resolution

  • 未開みかい

    uncivilized / undeveloped area

  • 開会かいかい

    opening of a meeting

Kun reading

ひら.く
  • 開くひらく

    to open / to start (an event)

  • 開くあく

    to open; become open

  • 開けるあける

    to open (something)

Commonly used words

  • 開催
    かいさい

    hold an event / open a meeting

  • 開拓
    かいたく

    land reclamation / cultivation / pioneering

  • 開発
    かいはつ

    development / exploitation

  • 公開
    こうかい

    open to the public / presenting publicly

  • 切開
    せっかい

    cutting open / incision

  • 打開
    だかい

    break in the deadlock / resolution

  • 開く
    ひらく

    to open / to start (an event)

  • 開く
    あく

    to open; become open

  • 開ける
    あける

    to open (something)

Example sentences

Example 1

明日、国際会議を催します。

Translation

Tomorrow, an international conference will be held.

Example 2

美術展が来週から催される。

Translation

The art exhibition will open starting next week.

Example 3

新しい土地を拓する。

Translation

To reclaim new land.

Example 4

彼は荒れた畑を拓した。

Translation

He cultivated a barren field.

Kanji 開: open, unfold, unseal | Daily Nihongo