開ける

• Reading: あける
• Romaji: akeru
• Kanji breakdown: 開 (kai/a) — to open
• Pronunciation: /a.ke.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To open (a door, window, lid, etc.); to unwrap; to unlock. A transitive verb for actively opening things.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb. This is the transitive version, meaning someone actively opens something. The intransitive counterpart is 開く (aku, to be open/to open by itself). Commonly used with doors, windows, bottles, and packages.

Examples

1. 窓を開けてもいいですか。 May I open the window?
2. プレゼントの箱を開けました。 I opened the present box.
3. 暑いので、ドアを開けておきます。 It's hot, so I'll leave the door open.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, home, requests

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 開 combines 門 (gate) and 开 (to open), depicting the act of opening a gate or door.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal