Translation and Meaning of: 開く - aku

The Japanese word 開く (あく) is one of those verbs that frequently appears in everyday life, whether in conversations, signs, or even in mangas. If you have ever wondered about its meaning, origin, or how to use it correctly, this article will guide you through all that and more. Here, in addition to understanding the etymology and the pictogram, you will discover practical sentences to include in your Anki and tips for memorizing this word efficiently. And if you’re curious about why the Japanese use this term so much, get ready for some cultural surprises!

Etymology and Origin of 開く

The verb 開く (あく) has an interesting history that dates back to the kanji 開, which is comprised of the radicals 門 (gate) and 幵 (separate). Together, they form the idea of "opening something that was closed," like a gate or a door. This kanji is not exclusive to Japanese—it comes from ancient Chinese, where it already carried the same basic meaning. Interestingly, in archaic Chinese writing, the character literally represented two doors being pushed apart, an image that still resonates in its modern usage.

In Japanese, 開く is used for both physical objects (like windows and stores) and abstract situations, such as "the cinema session is open." One thing that few people notice is that, although 開く and 開ける (あける) share the same kanji, the former is intransitive (the thing opens by itself), while the latter is transitive (someone opens something). This difference leads to a lot of confusion among students, so it's worth paying attention to!

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

If you've walked around Japan, you probably saw 開く on store signs with operating hours. Phrases like 「店は9時にあきます」 (The store opens at 9 am) are common, but the verb also appears in less obvious contexts. For example, when a park "is open to the public" or when an app "won't open" on your phone. Japanese people also use this word in idiomatic expressions, such as 「口が開く」 (literally "the mouth opens"), which can mean someone is so surprised that they are left speechless.

A valuable tip to remember this term is to associate it with everyday situations. Imagine yourself arriving at a store and seeing the sign 「営業中」 (open) — if it were closed, it would probably have 「準備中」 (being prepared) or 「閉店」 (closed). This opposition between 開く and 閉まる (しまる) is so present that, many times, the Japanese themselves joke with puns using both terms in jokes about commitments or relationships.

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

To fix 開く in memory, an infallible technique is to create flashcards with images of things that "open": an umbrella, a curtain, even a book. Associating the sound あく with visible actions helps the brain retain better. Another trick is to remember that the kanji looks like a gate with two leaves being pushed — if you mentally draw this scene, you will hardly forget it.

An interesting cultural fact is that, in Japan, many establishments avoid using 開く in formal announcements, preferring more polite terms like 「営業開始」 (start of business hours). However, in informal conversations, the verb is ubiquitous. And if you're a fan of games, you may have seen 「ドアが開く」 (the door opens) in scenes from classic RPGs — yet another proof of how this word is rooted even in Japanese media.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 開く

開く Infinitive
開かない negative form
開ける Potential Form
開けない negative potential form
開いている Continuous form
開いていない negative continuous form
開いた Past form
開いてしまう completive form

Synonyms and similar words

開ける (akeru) - Open, unveil
解く (toku) - Resolve, unravel
広げる (hirogeru) - Expand, open (something)
展開する (tenkai suru) - Unfold, develop
設ける (moukeru) - Establish, create (something like a system)
始める (hajimeru) - start
創る (tsukuru) - Create, do (something new)
始発する (shihatsu suru) - Start operating (e.g.: a transport at the first schedule)
切り拓く (kirihiraku) - To carve out, to pave the way (in a more figurative sense)