开工 kāigōng to begin work
to begin work (of a factory or engineering operation); to start a construction job
How to remember 开工: 开 open + 工 work = to begin work.
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How it is used
- Start of physical work on a project - 工厂明天开工 (gōngchǎng míngtiān kāigōng) the factory starts operating tomorrow; 工地已经开工 (gōngdì yǐjīng kāigōng) construction has begun on the site.
- Specifically about factories, construction sites, and large operations resuming/starting - not about an office worker starting their day (that's 上班 shàngbān).
- Opposite is 停工 (tínggōng, to halt work/shut down). Common after holidays: 春节后开工 (chūnjié hòu kāigōng) getting back to work after Spring Festival - 工厂停工 (gōngchǎng tínggōng) the factory stops work.