Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "開けます", "開ける", "空く", "打ち解ける"
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
開ける
あける (akeru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
空く
あく (aku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
打ち解ける
うちとける (uchitokeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "open" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "開けます", "開ける", "空く", "打ち解ける" 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..
- 開ける (あける (akeru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to open (something)" and is used when Transitive verb.
- 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.
- 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」..
Context for "開けます"
窓を開けます。
I open the window.
Context for "開ける"
ドアを開けてください。
Please open the door.
Context for "空く"
会議室が空いていますか。
Is the meeting room available?
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.
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.".