Meaning:

open; awaken; start

Origin:

甲骨文的“启”是一只手把一扇门打开，本义是“开”，后来引申为“开始”“开导”“陈述”等意思。

As it appears on oracle bone inscriptions, “启” looks like a hand opening a door, so its original meaning was to open. Later, that definition expanded to include concepts of to start, to enlighten, and to state.

Words:

   难以启齿 (nán yǐ qǐchǐ): unspeakable; difficult to speak one’s mind

   启蒙        (qǐméng): to enlighten (at the beginning)

   启事       (qǐshì)     : notice; announcement

   开启       (kāiqǐ)    : to open

   启发       (qǐfā)     : to inspire; enlighten

Examples:

1. 你怎么不贴个启事什么的。

    Nǐ zěnme bù tiē ge qǐshì shénmede

    Why don’t you put up a notice or something?

2. 你为什么不给我点儿启发？

    Nǐ wèishénme bù gěi wǒ diǎnr qǐfā

    Why don’t you enlighten me?