Boxi Learn › English › Stage 1 · Observe and Say
开 is not always open
EN-3 Word order is informationX-3 Look from another side
What many people think
Every English word matches exactly one Chinese word.
The idea
A Chinese word and an English word cover different patches of meaning: 开 is open the door, turn on the light, drive a car and hold a meeting, so learn a word together with the words it goes with.
Explain it
A friend says "Please open the TV." Explain why that sounds wrong in English and what to say instead. Then think of another Chinese word with more than one English match.
Try at home
Walk around your home and point at things you 开: the door, the fridge, the tap, the lamp, the computer. Say the English for each. Which ones are open and which are turn on?