Synonym Boundary: "開けます", "開ける", "開通する", "打ち解ける", "うちとける"

When expressing "open" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "開けます", "開ける", "開通する", "打ち解ける", "うちとける" 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.
• 開通する (かいつうする (kaitsū suru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to open (for traffic), to be completed (e.g., a tunnel, bridge, line)" and is used when Used for infrastructure like roads, railways, tunnels, or new services becoming available for public use. It's an intransitive verb..
• 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。.

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