Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Open" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "open", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
開けます
あけます (akemasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
空く
あく (aku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "open" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 開けます and 空く.
In Japanese, 開けます (あけます (akemasu)) is typically associated with "to open" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Transitive verb. Used for opening doors, windows, books, shops, eyes, etc. The object is marked with を..
On the other hand, 空く (あく (aku)) maps to "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. A literal translation of "open" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "開けます"
窓を開けます。
I open the window.
Bilingual Context for "空く"
会議室が空いていますか。
Is the meeting room available?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "窓を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I open the window.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "開けます" fits here because it means "to open" in the context of: "I open the window.". "空く" represents "to open, to be vacant, to be available, to become empty".