开工
How to Understand
开工 (kāi gōng) means 'to start work' or 'to begin a project.' It is commonly used to indicate the beginning of construction, manufacturing, or any kind of labor-intensive activity. Unlike similar terms like 开始 (kāi shǐ, 'to begin'), 开工 emphasizes the initiation of a structured or organized task.
The character 开 (kāi) means 'to open' or 'to start,' while 工 (gōng) means 'work' or 'craft.' Together, they form a term that specifically refers to the commencement of an organized work process, often implying preparation and organization before actual labor begins.
开工 is frequently used in business, construction, and industrial contexts. For example, a company might announce 开工 on a new production line, or a construction site might hold a ceremony to mark the 开工 of a building project. In daily conversation, it can also be used more casually to refer to starting a task, such as finishing homework or preparing for an event.