開

開 icon

open, start

開 is composed of 閂 (bolt) and 廾 (hands joined). 閂 depicts a door bolted with a crossbar, while 廾 represents two hands. Therefore, 開 conveys the idea of using both hands to push the door bolt upward so that the door can be opened, and it extends to the meaning of starting or initiating.

Vocabulary of 開

  • 開始 (begin)
  • 開會 (hold a meeting)
  • 開車 (drive a car)

Related Characters: