157
開
Open
ひら(く) (hiraku), あ(く) (aku), あ(ける) (akeru)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
The ancient form of 開 gives you a surprisingly literal picture. The outer 門 represents a pair of doors or a gate, while the inside originally depicted hands opening them. So the character was essentially showing someone opening a set of doors.
Memory Trick
“Remove the log to open the door.”
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.