Meaning and Usage
The verb 开通 (kāitōng) primarily means "to open up" or "to activate" a service or channel. It is commonly used for infrastructure like roads, subway lines, or communication services such as phone features and online banking.
Common Contexts
- Infrastructure: 开通 is used when a new road, subway line, or transportation route becomes operational.
- Telecommunications: It refers to activating phone services like international roaming or internet access.
- Services: Banks or companies 开通 new services to customers, indicating the start or availability of these services.
Collocations and Patterns
- 开通线路 (kāitōng xiànlù): to open a route or line, often for transportation.
- 开通功能 (kāitōng gōngnéng): to activate a function or feature, especially in technology.
- 开通服务 (kāitōng fúwù): to launch or start a service.
Usage Notes
开通 implies making something accessible or operational that was previously unavailable or inactive. It often carries a formal or official tone, suitable for announcements or service activations. Avoid confusing 开通 with 开始 (kāishǐ), which means "to start" in a more general sense; 开通 specifically emphasizes opening or enabling access.
Summary
Use 开通 when talking about officially opening infrastructure, activating communication features, or launching services. It highlights the transition from unavailable to available or from closed to open.