开庭 kāitíng to begin a (judicial) court session
How to remember 开庭: 开 open + 庭 court = to begin a (judicial) court session.
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How it is used
- Legal term for a court session opening - 法院明天开庭 (fǎyuàn míngtiān kāitíng) the court convenes tomorrow; 这个案子下周开庭 (zhège ànzi xiàzhōu kāitíng) this case goes to trial next week.
- Strictly courtroom register; you'll hear it in news and legal contexts, paired with 案子 (ànzi, case), 审理 (shěnlǐ, to hear a case).
- The close is 休庭 (xiūtíng, to adjourn) or 闭庭 (bìtíng).