离开

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 离开 (líkāi) is composed of two characters: 离 (lí) and 开 (kāi). The character 离 originally meant "to separate" or "to leave", and it is often used in the context of parting or separation. The character 开 originally meant "to open" or "to start", and it is often used in the context of beginning or initiating something. When these two characters are combined, they form the word 离开, which means "to leave" or "to depart".The word 离开 can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, it can be used to describe the act of leaving a place, such as saying 离开北京 (líkāi Běijīng) to mean "to leave Beijing". It can also be used to describe the act of leaving a person or a group of people, such as saying 离开家人 (líkāi jiārén) to mean "to leave one's family". Additionally, it can be used to describe the act of leaving a job or a position, such as saying 离开公司 (líkāi gōngsī) to mean "to leave one's company".The word 离开 is a common and versatile word in Chinese, and it is important for HSK learners to understand its meaning and usage.