Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "開く", "空く", "通じる", "打ち解ける", "うちとける"
All represent the core concept "open", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
開く
あく (aku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
空く
あく (aku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
通じる
つうじる (tsuujiru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
打ち解ける
うちとける (uchitokeru)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
うちとける
うちとける (uchitokeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "open" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "開く", "空く", "通じる", "打ち解ける", "うちとける" based on context.
- 開く (あく (aku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to open (intransitive)" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used when something opens on its own or is opened by an unspecified agent.
- 空く (あく (aku) - Level: N4): Maps to "to open, to be vacant, to be available, to become empty" and is used when An intransitive verb. Refers to something becoming empty, available, or a space opening up. For example, 席が空く.
- 通じる (つうじる (tsuujiru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to open (to traffic); to lead to; to be understood; to communicate; to understand each other" and is used when 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！』.
- 打ち解ける (うちとける (uchitokeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to open one's heart, to become friendly, to relax" and is used when To become less reserved, more relaxed and informal with someone, moving from a formal or tense state to a more comfortable and open one. Often used with the particle 「に」..
- うちとける (うちとける (uchitokeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to open one's heart, to feel at home, to relax, to be frank" and is used when Describes the process of becoming comfortable and relaxed with someone, allowing one's true self to show. Often implies breaking down barriers. 心を開き、親しくなる様子を表します。.
Context for "開く"
ドアが自動的に開きます。
The door opens automatically.
Context for "空く"
会議室が空いていますか。
Is the meeting room available?
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.
Context for "打ち解ける"
彼はどんな人ともすぐに打ち解けることができる。
He can quickly become friendly with anyone.
Context for "うちとける"
初めて会った人ともすぐにうちとけることができる。
I can quickly feel at ease even with people I meet for the first time.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ドアが自動的に開きます。" (Meaning: "The door opens automatically.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "開く" is correct here because it represents "to open (intransitive)" in the context: "The door opens automatically.".