開く

• Reading: ひらく
• Romaji: hiraku
• Kanji breakdown: 開 (kai/hira) — to open, to spread
• Pronunciation: /çi.ɾa.kɯ/

Meaning

To open; to spread out; to unfold. Used both transitively and intransitively for opening broadly.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with a く stem. While 開ける (akeru) focuses on opening doors and containers, 開く (hiraku) has a broader meaning — opening books, holding events, and spreading things out. It can be both transitive and intransitive depending on context.

Examples

1. 教科書の十ページを開いてください。 Please open your textbook to page ten.
2. 来月、新しいお店が開きます。 A new shop is opening next month.
3. 花が開くのはとてもきれいです。 Flowers blooming is very beautiful.

Usage Guide

Context: school, events, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 開 combines 門 (gate) and 开 (to open). The reading ひらく emphasises spreading or unfolding, while あける focuses on doorway-type openings.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal