Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Opening" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "opening", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
開場
かいじょう (kaijō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
開店
かいてん (kaiten)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "opening" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 開場 and 開店.
In Japanese, 開場 (かいじょう (kaijō)) is typically associated with "opening (of a venue), start of an event" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents イベントが始まる前に、観客が建物に入れるようになる時間を指します。The time when a venue opens its doors to the public before an event..
On the other hand, 開店 (かいてん (kaiten)) maps to "opening of a store/business" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to the act or time when a store or business starts its operations for the day or for the first time. Can be used as a noun or with する. A literal translation of "opening" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "開場"
コンサートの開場は午後6時です。
The concert venue opens at 6 PM.
Bilingual Context for "開店"
このデパートは午前10時に開店します。
This department store opens at 10 AM.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "コンサートの ＿＿＿ は午後6時です。" (Meaning: "The concert venue opens at 6 PM.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "開場" fits here because it means "opening (of a venue), start of an event" in the context of: "The concert venue opens at 6 PM.". "開店" represents "opening of a store/business".