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
虚心坦懐
きょしんたんかい (kyoshintankai)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "open" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 開けます and 虚心坦懐.
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, 虚心坦懐 (きょしんたんかい (kyoshintankai)) maps to "with an open mind" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. 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 "虚心坦懐"
私は虚心坦懐に興味があります。
I am interested in with an open mind.
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.". "虚心坦懐" represents "with an open mind".