開 Meaning, Reading, and Vocabulary Guide｜Onyomi カイ・Kunyomi ひら.く
開 is an essential JLPT N4 kanji that means 'to open' or 'to start'.
Pay attention to the context, as its kunyomi can be read in various ways, such as ひらく and あく.
It depicts opening a gate (門) and is very frequently used in both daily life and business.
Kanji at a glance
Core meaning / core image
開 basically means 'to open' a closed door, space, or object. Beyond opening physical doors or windows, it is also used in an extended sense to mean opening one's heart, pioneering something new, or 'starting' (opening, holding) an event or store.
Kanji structure breakdown
Mnemonic story
This kanji depicts pushing the latch (幵) of a gate (門) to open it. Thus, it means 'to open'.
On'yomi and kun'yomi
On reading
Kun reading
Commonly used words
Example sentences
Mini quiz
In which of the following contexts is it natural to read '開く' as 'あく'?
One-line summary
開 is used for everything from opening physical doors to starting new things. You must carefully distinguish between the readings あく and ひらく depending on the context.
FAQ
When do you read 開く as 'あく' and when as 'ひらく'?
When physical doors, windows, or locks open, it is mainly read as 'あく'. On the other hand, when flowers bloom, events (meetings, parties) are held, or when opening your heart or a book, it is generally read as 'ひらく'.
How do you distinguish between 'あける' and 'ひらける' for 開ける?
'あける' is most commonly used as a transitive verb meaning to intentionally 'open' a window, door, or box. 'ひらける' is mainly used to express abstract, large-scale changes, such as a view opening up, luck improving, or civilization developing.
