What is the difference between "開けます", "空く", "通じる", "うちとける", "公開市場操作"?

"開けます" means "to open", "空く" means "to open, to be vacant, to be available, to become empty", "通じる" means "to open (to traffic); to lead to; to be understood; to communicate; to understand each other", "うちとける" means "to open one's heart, to feel at home, to relax, to be frank", "公開市場操作" means "Open Market Operations".

Quintuple VS

Synonym Boundary: "開けます", "空く", "通じる", "うちとける", "公開市場操作"

All represent the core concept "open", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

開けます

あけます (akemasu)

N5 / 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

うちとける

うちとける (uchitokeru)

N2 / CEFR

Japanese Option E

公開市場操作

こうかいしじょうそうさ (koukaishijousousa)

C2 / CEFR

Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "open" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "開けます", "空く", "通じる", "うちとける", "公開市場操作" based on context.

開けます (あけます (akemasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to open" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for opening doors, windows, books, shops, eyes, etc. The object is marked with を..
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！』.
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。.
公開市場操作 (こうかいしじょうそうさ (koukaishijousousa) - Level: C2): Maps to "Open Market Operations" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!

Context for "開けます"

窓を開けます。

I open the window.

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 "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.

Context for "公開市場操作"

私は公開市場操作に興味があります。

I am interested in Open Market Operations.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

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" is correct here because it represents "to open" in the context: "I open the window.".