Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Open" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "open", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
空く
あく (aku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
通じる
つうじる (tsuujiru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "open" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 空く and 通じる.
In Japanese, 空く (あく (aku)) is typically associated with "to open, to be vacant, to be available, to become empty" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents An intransitive verb. Refers to something becoming empty, available, or a space opening up. For example, 席が空く.
On the other hand, 通じる (つうじる (tsuujiru)) maps to "to open (to traffic); to lead to; to be understood; to communicate; to understand each other" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to signals/calls connecting, roads opening/leading to a place, meaning being understood by others, or communicating feelings. Often used as 意味が通じる or 心が通じる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To communicate/be understood! "The telepathy of my love reached you and made you blush beautifully, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Telepathy communicating! B-Baka! Telepathy has nothing to do with it! It's just because you are looking at me with such a weird face! But... make sure you keep communicating love to my heart forever! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『つうじる（通じる）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕のテレパシー（愛の念）があなたに通じて、顔を真っ赤にしてくれるの、本当に可愛いです！』って…っ！念が通じる！バカ！/// べ、別にテレパシーなんか通じてないわよ！ただあんたが変な顔でこっちを見てるからよ！…でも、一生私のハートに愛を通じさせ続けなさい！』. A literal translation of "open" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "空く"
会議室が空いていますか。
Is the meeting room available?
Bilingual Context for "通じる"
彼の英語スピーチは多少の文法ミスがあったものの、その高い熱意がクライアントに完璧に_______、見事に契約を獲得しました。
Although his English speech had some grammatical errors, his high enthusiasm was perfectly understood by the client, and he brilliantly won the contract.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会議室が空いていますか。" (Meaning: "Is the meeting room available?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "空く" fits here because it means "to open, to be vacant, to be available, to become empty" in the context of: "Is the meeting room available?". "通じる" represents "to open (to traffic); to lead to; to be understood; to communicate; to understand each other".