[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Anatomy-and-Living \ #Motion-Conditions # 开 kāi to start; to open ## Components [[一 yī]] [[一 (yī)]] [[廾 (gǒng)]] ## Meaning The character "开" nowadays has several meanings: 1. **To open**: This is its primary meaning, referring to the action of opening something, such as a door, a window, or a lid. For example, "打开门" (dǎ kāi mén) means "to open the door". 2. **To start or begin**: It is often used to indicate the beginning of an action, event, or process. For instance, "开始工作" (kāi shǐ gōng zuò) means "to start working". 3. **To unfold or spread out**: It can describe the action of spreading something out, such as spreading out a map or unfolding a piece of paper. For example, "展开地图" (zhǎn kāi dì tú) means "to unfold the map". 4. **To develop or develop**: It can be used to describe the development of something, like a project or an area. For instance, "开发新技术" (kāi fā xīn jì shù) means "to develop new technology". 5. **To convene or hold (a meeting)**: It can describe the action of convening or holding a meeting. For example, "召开会议" (zhào kāi huì yì) means "to convene a meeting". ## History The character "开" is a compound ideogram. In its ancient form, it depicts two open doors with a "门" (mén) radical in the middle, representing the concept of a door. Below the door, there are two hands, indicating the action of opening the door. Over time, the character evolved, and in the seal script, the middle part changed into two "干" (gān) shapes. Today, the character "开" has a wide range of applications in daily life, such as "to open", "to unfold", "to develop", "to initiate", "expenditure", and "to convene a meeting". ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ？ ### Bronze Script ？ ### Seal Script ![[开 seal.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[开 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[开 reg.svg]]