Bound prefix or suffix used in compounds to mean 'open' or 'beginning'. Not used as a standalone word. Common in words like 開会 (opening of a meeting) or 開店 (opening of a store).
開 is used as an affix meaning 'opening' or 'beginning', as in 開会 (opening of a meeting) or 開店 (opening of a store).
hold (an event); host; open
open to the public; release; disclose; exhibit
start; beginning; commencement
development; cultivation; application · exploitation (of resources)
development; evolution; unfolding · expansion; spreading out; deployment · expansion (of an algebraic expression) · development (of a 3D shape into a flat pattern) · extraction; decompression; unpacking · sharing (information)
reopening; resumption; restarting
opening (a door, window, etc.); leaving open · opening up (to the public); allowing access
raising the curtain; curtain-up · opening; start; beginning
establishment; opening; setting up
opening a business; opening a practice
reclamation; cultivation; development · pioneering; opening up; breaking new ground
disclosure; release; display · discovery
opening a new shop; grand opening · opening for the day; opening the shop
opening; breaking the seal · unboxing; opening a product package · unsealed mail
fully open; opening fully · full throttle; full power; maximum output
flowering; blooming; coming into bloom · flowering; blossoming; bearing fruit
opening of a meeting; convening
opening of doors; admission start · inauguration; opening ceremony
opening; inauguration; going into service · reopening; resumption of service
opening and closing; opening and shutting
full bloom; in full blossom
outbreak of war; start of hostilities
start of a performance; curtain time
opening; aperture · opening one's mouth · beginning to speak; opening one's mouth to speak · open; wide; broad
break a deadlock; find a way out of a difficult situation
opening of a school; establishment of a school
opening for the day; being open · inauguration; grand opening
incision; cutting open; surgical operation
improvement of fortune; better luck
counting ballots; vote tallying
The kanji 開 means 'open' or 'begin'. As a bound morpheme, it is used in Sino-Japanese compounds. The reading かい is the on'yomi.