开业
kāi yè · HSK 3
to open a business
🏪 开 (open) + 业 (business/trade) = open for business
开 means to open; 业 means trade, occupation, or business. Together: to open a business or start a practice. Often seen on shop banners marking a grand opening.
开 — two hands 廾 + door 门 (open gate)
Originally written 開, showing two hands (廾) lifting the bar (一) off a gate (門) to open it. The simplified form 开 keeps the two-hands element and drops the gate. Core meaning 'to open' extended to 'start, operate, bloom'.
业 — top 业 (originally a notched board)
Originally a pictograph of a notched wooden board hung in ancient classrooms or temples to support bells and chimes. The notches inspired meanings of 'work' and 'profession,' as such boards were tools of trade and study. Today it means business, occupation, or undertaking.