開

開 — open, unfold, unseal

Learn the correct stroke order for 開 (open), a 12-stroke kanji.

JLPT N4Grade 312 strokes

Stroke Order

Stroke 0 / 12

On'yomi (音読み)カイkai

Kun'yomi (訓読み)ひら.くhiraku、ひら.きhiraki、-びら.きbiraki、ひら.けるhirakeru、あ.くaku、あ.けるakeru

Strokes12

Radical門

Frequency#59

Meaningsopen, unfold, unseal

Step-by-Step Diagram

Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 12 — start from the green dot

Common Words

開くひらくto open; to undo; to unsealverb

開演かいえんcurtain raising; starting (e.g. play, concert)noun

開花かいかflowering; blooming; blossomingnoun

開会かいかいopening of a meetingnoun

開館かいかんopening (for that day's business; of a library, museum, cinema, etc.)noun

開業かいぎょうopening a business; opening a practicenoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 開 (open) is taught in grade 3 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N4 level. It has 12 strokes with radical 門.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 開 is #59, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

開くひらく — to open; to undo; to unseal

開演かいえん — curtain raising; starting (e.g. play, concert)

開花かいか — flowering; blooming; blossoming

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (門)

門gate 閉closed 間interval 閑leisure 関connection 閣tower 閥clique 閲review

Same reading

会meeting 界world 画brush-stroke 海sea

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 開 have?

The kanji 開 (open) has 12 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 開?

開 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 開 mean?

開 means: open, unfold, unseal. On'yomi readings: カイ. Kun'yomi readings: ひら.く, ひら.き, -びら.き, ひら.ける, あ.く, あ.ける.

What JLPT level is 開?

開 is a JLPT N4 kanji. This is a beginner-level kanji.