啓
啓·disclose, open, say
- On-yomi
- けい
- Kun-yomi
- ひら.くさと.す
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 拝啓 | はいけい | Dear ... (opening of a formal letter) |
| 啓示 | けいじ | revelation |
| 啓発 | けいはつ | enlightenment, education |
| 自己啓発 | じこけいはつ | self-improvement |
Example sentences
手紙は拝啓で書き始めた。
てがみははいけいでかきはじめた。
I began the letter with the formal opening.
自己啓発の本をよく読む。
じこけいはつのほんをよくよむ。
I often read self-improvement books.
その講演は聴衆を大いに啓発した。
そのこうえんはちょうしゅうをおおいにけいはつした。
That lecture greatly enlightened the audience.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 拝啓 as はいけ
- Forgetting that a letter opened with 拝啓 must close with 敬具
Memory aid
Picture it
A door 戸 with a hand 攵 on it and a mouth 口 below: pushing the door open and speaking — opening someone's understanding.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 啓 mean?