How do you say "to open" in Japanese?

開ける

akeru

Verb Kanji

In Japanese, "to open" is 開ける (akeru).

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Pronunciation

開ける is written using kanji. Romanised as akeru, it sounds roughly like "ah-keh-roo" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Akeru (開ける) uses the kanji kai (open or unlock). It applies to doors, containers, eyes, or any barrier that can be opened.

Example sentence

子供たちは開けますのが楽しそうです。

Kodomotachi wa akemasu no ga tanoshisou desu.

The children seem to enjoy opening.

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How to remember 開ける

Akeru contains a two-part gate kanji split apart. The opening suggests gates or barriers being spread wide.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more Japanese verbs.

Questions about 開ける

How do you pronounce 開ける?

開ける is romanised as akeru. Say it roughly like "ah-keh-roo" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is 開ける formal or casual?

開ける is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is 開ける written in Japanese?

開ける is written using kanji. Akeru (開ける) uses the kanji kai (open or unlock).

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

You can play free Japanese minigames in your browser on the Noun Town online games page, with no sign-up needed. Every word in the Japanese glossary also has native audio and an example sentence you can revisit any time.

"To open" in other languages

Curated by Jack Ratcliffe

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