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Kotomora

啓

disclose, open, say

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケイ

Kun'yomi

  • ひら.く
  • さと.す

Nanori

  • あき
  • あきら
  • さとし
  • はじめ
  • ひろ
  • よし

Meaning

啓 centers on making something accessible that was previously closed or hidden: opening up, disclosing information, or speaking out to reveal or enlighten.

Most common words using 啓

20 of 38
  • 啓発けいはつ

    enlightenment; development; edification; public awareness; illumination; education; inspiration

  • 啓蒙けいもう
    N1

    enlightenment; illumination

  • 啓示けいじ

    (divine) revelation

  • 拝啓はいけい
    N1

    Dear (so and so); Dear Sir; Dear Madam; To Whom It May Concern

  • 天啓てんけい

    (divine) revelation; divine oracle

  • 啓蟄けいちつ

    "awakening of insects" solar term (approx. March 6, the day on which hibernating insects are said to come out of the ground)

  • 一筆啓上いっぴつけいじょう

    this will just be a short note; I'm writing to tell you

  • 中啓ちゅうけい

    ceremonial folding fan

  • 啓くひらく

    to enlighten; to edify

  • 啓上けいじょう

    speaking respectfully

  • 啓典けいてん

    Islamic holy books (the Pentateuch, the Book of Psalms, the Gospels and the Koran)

  • 啓学けいがく

    Keigaku (publisher)

  • 啓示宗教けいじしゅうきょう

    revealed religion

  • 啓蒙主義けいもうしゅぎ

    illuminism; enlightenment

  • 啓蒙専制君主けいもうせんせいくんしゅ

    enlightened despot

  • 啓蒙思想けいもうしそう

    the philosophy of the European Enlightenment

  • 啓蒙思潮けいもうしちょう

    enlightenment movement; the Enlightenment

  • 啓蒙書けいもうしょ

    book for novices; general introduction to a subject

  • 啓蒙活動けいもうかつどう

    information campaign; awareness program

  • 啓蒙的けいもうてき

    enlightening

Explore all words using 啓 →

Study

Etymology

啓 is thought to combine 戸 (door) and 攵 (hand holding a stick) over 口 (mouth), suggesting the act of opening a door or speaking to reveal something. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A hand 攵 pushes open a door 戸 while a mouth 口 speaks out, disclosing what was hidden inside.

Reading mnemonic

For ケイ, imagine opening a heavy gate with a loud 'kay!' sound: kay -> ケイ, as the door swings wide to disclose the secret.