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
開通する
かいつうする (kaitsū suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "open" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 空く and 開通する.
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, 開通する (かいつうする (kaitsū suru)) maps to "to open (for traffic), to be completed (e.g., a tunnel, bridge, line)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used for infrastructure like roads, railways, tunnels, or new services becoming available for public use. It's an intransitive verb.. 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 "開通する"
新しい高速道路が来月開通する予定だ。
The new highway is scheduled to open next month.
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?". "開通する" represents "to open (for traffic), to be completed (e.g., a tunnel, bridge, line)".