'Kāi chē' literally combines 'kāi' (to open, to operate) and 'chē' (vehicle, especially car), meaning 'to drive (a car)'. It is a common compound verb used exclusively for operating motor vehicles—primarily cars, though sometimes extended informally to motorcycles or vans. Unlike English 'drive', it does not take a direct object in basic usage: you say 'tā huì kāi chē' (he can drive), not '*tā kāi yí liàng chē' unless emphasizing the act of starting or operating a specific vehicle.

This verb appears frequently in daily conversations about transportation, commuting, licensing, and safety. It’s neutral in register—used equally in casual chats, formal instructions, and official contexts like driving tests. Note that 'kāi chē' does not refer to riding as a passenger, nor does it apply to bicycles (use 'qí zì xíng chē') or trains (use 'chéng huǒ chē'). The character '开' here conveys activation and control, while '车' specifies the type of vehicle involved.