開ける・空ける・明ける|あけるakeru[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
開ける開ける is the most common written form for this entry’s senses and is the recommended default for beginners.
空ける空ける is a less common kanji-and-kana variant of 開ける. Learners may encounter it, but 開ける should be preferred as their default choice.
明ける明ける is a less common kanji-and-kana variant of 開ける. Learners may encounter it, but 開ける should be preferred as their default choice.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto open (a door, etc.); to unwrap (e.g. parcel, package); to unlock
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto open (for business, etc.)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto empty; to remove; to make space; to make roomesp. 空ける
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto move out; to clear outesp. 空ける
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto be away from (e.g. one's house); to leave (temporarily)esp. 空ける
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto dawn; to grow lightesp. 明ける
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto end (of a period, season)esp. 明ける
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto begin (of the New Year)esp. 明ける
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto leave (one's schedule) open; to make time (for)esp. 明ける
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto make (a hole); to open up (a hole)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 開ける（あける） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 開けます（あけます） |
| Negative (nai) | 開けない（あけない） |
| polite (masen) | 開けません（あけません） |
| classical zu / nu | 開けず・開けぬ（あけず・あけぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 開けた（あけた） |
| polite (mashita) | 開けました（あけました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 開けなかった（あけなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 開けませんでした（あけませんでした） |
| Te form | 開けて（あけて） |
| Potential | 開けられる（あけられる） |
| Passive | 開けられる（あけられる） |
| Causative | 開けさせる（あけさせる） |
| Causative passive | 開けさせられる（あけさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 開ければ（あければ） |
| tara | 開けたら（あけたら） |
| Volitional | 開けよう（あけよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 開けましょう（あけましょう） |
| Imperative | 開けろ（あけろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
ドアが開く
ドアを開ける
ドアが開く focuses on the event or resulting state of the door opening, while ドアを開ける foregrounds the agent acting on the door.
店が開く
店を開ける
店が開く focuses on the shop’s opening as an event or resulting state, while 店を開ける foregrounds the agent acting on the shop.
夜が明ける
夜を明かす
夜が明ける focuses on the night’s changing state, while 夜を明かす foregrounds the agent’s action involving 夜 as the object.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymひらくNeutralBoth mean 'open', but 「開ける」 is usual for doors and windows; 「開く」 is preferred for books, umbrellas, holding meetings and opening a store, and can also be intransitive.
- Antonym閉めるしめるNeutralThe direct opposite of 「開ける」: used for closing doors and windows and for putting lids on.
- Antonym閉じるとじるNeutralThe opposite of opening; mostly for closing books and eyes or ending a meeting. For doors and windows, 「閉める」 is the usual choice.
Use 「開ける」 for opening doors, windows and lids, and 「閉める」 to close them. For books and umbrellas, 「開く」 is the usual verb for opening, with 「閉じる」 for closing; 「開く」 also covers meetings and store openings.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
