kāitōng: 开通 - To open, inaugurate, establish

Keywords: kaitong, 开通, Chinese verb, open an account in Chinese, activate service Chinese, inaugurate a route, open a subway line Chinese, how to use kaitong, open-minded Chinese, HSK 4 vocabulary.

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 开通 (kāitōng), a term fundamental to modern life in China. This guide explains its core meanings: “to open” or “activate” a service (like a bank account or phone plan), “to inaugurate” infrastructure (like a new subway line or bridge), and its metaphorical use to describe someone as “open-minded.” Discover its cultural relevance in a rapidly developing China, see practical examples, and learn to avoid common mistakes for English speakers.

Pinyin (with tone marks): kāitōng

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: To open, inaugurate, or establish a service, route, or connection.

In a Nutshell: 开通 (kāitōng) is about creating a new, functional pathway where one didn't exist before. Think of it as “opening a channel.” This channel can be literal, like a new high-speed rail line connecting two cities, or it can be a service, like activating a data plan on your phone. It's the action of making something accessible and operational for the first time.

开 (kāi): To open, to start, to turn on. The character resembles a gate or door (门) with the latch (一) being lifted. It signifies the basic action of opening.

通 (tōng): To go through, to connect, to be unobstructed. This character suggests a clear passage or a connection from one point to another.

When combined, 开通 (kāitōng) literally means “to open a connection” or “to start a passage.” This perfectly captures its meaning of establishing a new, functional link, whether it's for transportation, communication, or services.

开通 is a word you'll hear constantly in modern China, as it is inextricably linked to the country's rapid development. Every time a new subway line is completed, a new bullet train route is launched, or a bridge connects two regions, the verb used to announce it is 开通. It is the sound of progress and increasing connectivity.

In the digital sphere, it's just as crucial. From opening an Alipay account (`开通支付宝`) to activating a streaming membership (`开通会员`), 开通 is the key that unlocks participation in China's vibrant digital economy.

Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, we use different verbs for these situations: “open” an account, “launch” a service, “inaugurate” a railway. 开通 elegantly bundles these concepts into one, unified by the core idea of “establishing a new, functional connection.” While “to open” in English can be as simple as opening a jar, 开通 is reserved for systems, services, and infrastructure, giving it a more significant and formal weight.

开通 is used in several key contexts, all relating to starting something new.

“Open-minded” Nuance: While `思想开通` translates to “open-minded,” it often carries the specific connotation of someone moving from a traditional or conservative viewpoint to a more modern or accepting one. It implies a journey or a breakthrough in thinking, not just a general personality trait of being tolerant.

开 (kāi) - The root verb “to open.” Use this for physical objects like doors, windows, and boxes.

通 (tōng) - To pass through, connect. The conceptual core of `开通`, emphasizing the creation of a passage.

开放 (kāifàng) - To open up, to be open to the public. More about policy or making a place accessible (e.g., `改革开放` - Reform and Opening-Up).

注册 (zhùcè) - To register. This is often the first step you take before you can `开通` a service. You `注册` an account, and then the service is `开通`.

激活 (jīhuó) - To activate. A very close synonym, often used for things that are dormant and need to be “brought to life,” like a SIM card or a gift card. `激活` and `开通` can sometimes be interchangeable for digital services.

开办 (kāibàn) - To set up, to found. Used for starting an institution, like a company (`开办公司`) or a school (`开办学校`).

启用 (qǐyòng) - To put into use, to enable. Often used for officially starting to use a new facility or system that has already been built, e.g., a new airport terminal.