kāijī: 开机 - To Turn On, To Boot Up

• Keywords: kaiji, kai ji, 开机, turn on in Chinese, boot up in Chinese, start computer in Chinese, start filming in Chinese, power on Chinese, kaiji meaning, Chinese for technology
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 开机 (kāijī), which means “to turn on,” “boot up,” or “power on” a device. This guide explores its use for everyday technology like phones and computers, as well as its unique cultural significance in the Chinese film industry for starting a new production. Discover character origins, practical examples, and common mistakes to master this fundamental modern word.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kāi jī
• Part of Speech: Verb (Verb-Object Compound)
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To turn on the power of a machine or electronic device; to begin filming.
• In a Nutshell: 开机 (kāijī) is the standard verb for bringing any machine to life. It's the action of pressing the power button on your phone, computer, TV, or air conditioner. The word literally combines “open/start” (开) and “machine” (机), creating the clear and logical meaning of “start the machine.” It also has a fascinating second life in the entertainment industry, where it means to officially start shooting a movie or TV show.

• 开 (kāi): This character means “to open,” “to start,” or “to turn on.” Pictorially, it can be seen as representing a pair of hands moving a bolt to open a gate (门). It signifies initiating an action.
• 机 (jī): This character means “machine,” “engine,” or “device.” The left radical, 木 (mù), means “wood,” reflecting that early mechanisms were often made of wood. The right side, 几 (jī), provides the phonetic sound.
• Together, 开机 (kāijī) literally translates to “open the machine,” a direct and intuitive term for powering on a device.

While a modern, tech-focused term, 开机 (kāijī) has a unique cultural dimension in the Chinese film and television industry. The start of a new production is marked by a 开机仪式 (kāijī yíshì), or “boot-up ceremony.” This is far more than a simple kick-off meeting. It's a significant cultural event steeped in tradition and superstition, meant to ensure a smooth and successful production. The cast and crew gather, often at the filming location, to make offerings of fruit and incense to pray for good fortune and ward off accidents. The ceremony culminates with the director and lead actors removing a red cloth from the main camera, symbolizing the official start of filming. This practice can be compared to a “groundbreaking ceremony” in Western culture for a new building, but the 开机仪式 is more spiritual and personal. It highlights a common theme in Chinese culture: blending modern activities (like filmmaking) with traditional rituals to ensure harmony and auspicious beginnings. It shows how a simple tech term can take on a much deeper, communal meaning.

开机 (kāijī) is an everyday term used in a variety of modern contexts.

• Everyday Technology: This is its most common use. You use it when talking about turning on your computer, phone, television, air conditioner, or any other electronic device. It is a neutral, standard term appropriate for any situation.
• Troubleshooting: The universal IT advice, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” directly translates using 开机. You'll often hear people say, “你试试关机再开机” (Nǐ shìshi guānjī zài kāijī).
• Film and Entertainment: In this industry, 开机 means “to start filming.” A director might announce, “我们明天早上八点准时开机” (Wǒmen míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn zhǔnshí kāijī), meaning “We will start filming tomorrow at 8 AM sharp.” News articles will report that a new series has “officially booted up” (正式开机).

• Example 1:
  • 我的电脑开机太慢了，需要五分钟。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de diànnǎo kāijī tài màn le, xūyào wǔ fēnzhōng.
  • English: My computer boots up too slowly; it needs five minutes.
  • Analysis: A common complaint about technology. Here, 开机 refers to the entire process of starting up.
• Example 2:
  • 你能帮我把空调开机吗？有点热。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bǎ kōngtiáo kāijī ma? Yǒudiǎn rè.
  • English: Can you help me turn on the air conditioner? It's a bit hot.
  • Analysis: A simple, polite request. Note the `把 (bǎ)` structure is common but not required. You could also say “开一下空调” (kāi yíxià kōngtiáo).
• Example 3:
  • 我的手机掉进水里后就无法开机了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī diào jìn shuǐ lǐ hòu jiù wúfǎ kāijī le.
  • English: After my phone fell into the water, it wouldn't turn on anymore.
  • Analysis: `无法 (wúfǎ)` means “unable to” or “cannot,” a formal way of saying it's impossible to perform the action of 开机.
• Example 4:
  • 很多手机都可以设置定时开机和关机。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō shǒujī dōu kěyǐ shèzhì dìngshí kāijī hé guānjī.
  • English: Many phones can be set to automatically power on and off at a scheduled time.
  • Analysis: This shows 开机 used alongside its direct antonym, `关机 (guānjī)`.
• Example 5:
  • 这部电影下周一在上海正式开机。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng xià zhōuyī zài Shànghǎi zhèngshì kāijī.
  • English: This movie will officially start filming in Shanghai next Monday.
  • Analysis: This is the specific industry usage. `正式 (zhèngshì)` means “officially,” emphasizing the formal start of production.
• Example 6:
  • 技术支持问我：“您试过关机再开机吗？”
  • Pinyin: Jìshù zhīchí wèn wǒ: “Nín shìguò guānjī zài kāijī ma?”
  • English: The tech support asked me: “Have you tried turning it off and on again?”
  • Analysis: The classic, universal IT question, perfectly translated. `再 (zài)` means “again.”
• Example 7:
  • 每次开机后，我都要输入密码。
  • Pinyin: Měi cì kāijī hòu, wǒ dōu yào shūrù mìmǎ.
  • English: Every time after I turn it on, I have to enter my password.
  • Analysis: `每次…后 (měi cì…hòu)` means “after every time…” showing 开机 as a trigger for another action.
• Example 8:
  • 演员们都参加了新剧的开机仪式。
  • Pinyin: Yǎnyuánmen dōu cānjiā le xīn jù de kāijī yíshì.
  • English: The actors all participated in the opening ceremony for the new drama.
  • Analysis: Here, 开机 is used as part of a compound noun, `开机仪式 (kāijī yíshì)`, the “boot-up ceremony.”
• Example 9:
  • 长时间不使用电器，最好拔掉插头，而不仅仅是关机。下次开机会更安全。
  • Pinyin: Cháng shíjiān bù shǐyòng diànqì, zuìhǎo bádiào chātóu, ér bùjǐnjǐn shì guānjī. Xià cì kāijī huì gèng ānquán.
  • English: If you don't use an appliance for a long time, it's best to unplug it, not just turn it off. It will be safer the next time you turn it on.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides practical advice and contrasts `关机 (guānjī)` with the next act of 开机.
• Example 10:
  • 按下这个红色按钮就可以开机了。
  • Pinyin: Ànxià zhège hóngsè ànniǔ jiù kěyǐ kāijī le.
  • English: Press this red button to turn it on.
  • Analysis: A direct and simple instruction. `按下 (ànxià)` means “to press down.”

• Mistake: Using 开机 for non-machines.
  • A common error for learners is to use 开机 for everything you “turn on.” This is incorrect. 开机 is reserved for complex devices or machines (things with a 机).
  • Incorrect: 我去开机灯。(Wǒ qù kāijī dēng.)
  • Correct: 我去开灯。(Wǒ qù kāi dēng.) - To turn on a light.
  • Rule of Thumb: If the object's name doesn't contain 机 (like 手机, 电脑, 空调机), you likely use “开” plus the object itself (e.g., 开门 kāi mén - open the door, 开电视 kāi diànshì - turn on the TV).
• Nuance: 开机 (kāijī) vs. 打开 (dǎkāi)
  • These two are often confused. 开机 is about supplying power to the entire system. 打开 (dǎkāi) is about opening something that is already “on” or accessible.
  • 开机 (kāijī): Pressing the power button to start your laptop.
  • 打开电脑 (dǎkāi diànnǎo): This can mean two things: 1) Physically opening the lid of the laptop. 2) “Opening” a computer in a general sense, but it's far less common than 开机 for the act of powering on.
  • 打开文件 (dǎkāi wénjiàn): To open a file (on the computer).
  • 打开App (dǎkāi App): To open an app.
  • In short: First, you 开机 the computer, then you 打开 the programs.

• 关机 (guānjī) - The direct antonym of 开机. It means “to turn off,” “to shut down.”
• 重启 (chóngqǐ) - To restart or reboot a device. This is essentially a `关机` followed immediately by a `开机`.
• 死机 (sǐjī) - To crash or freeze (for a computer). Literally “dead machine,” the state you're in when you can't `关机` and have to force a `重启`.
• 打开 (dǎkāi) - To open a file, an application, a door, a window. A related but distinct action from powering on.
• 开灯 (kāi dēng) - To turn on a light. An example of the “开 + Object” pattern for simpler devices.
• 开空调 (kāi kōngtiáo) - To turn on the air conditioner. A common colloquial phrase.
• 开机仪式 (kāijī yíshì) - The specific term for the “boot-up ceremony” at the start of a film production.
• 手机 (shǒujī) - Mobile phone (“hand machine”). One of the most common objects you use `开机` with.
• 电脑 (diànnǎo) - Computer (“electric brain”). The other most common object for `开机`.