お開き ( = ohiraki) : The difference between 開く( = ひらく・あく ) & 開ける ( = ひらける・あける )

「そろそろお開きにしましょう!」

= Sorosoro ohiraki ni shimashou!

= Let’s finish the party now.

「えっ!?ケーキは?」

= Eh!? Keiki wa?

= What!? What about these cakes?

Hi everyone! 元気?= genki? = How are you doing?

Before we start this lesson, we would like to thank everyone who visited MaggieSensei.com this month. We hit a “personal” record for the number of views.

We appreciate all the support!  

OK, let’s get started! First, check this kanji.

 

 

:rrrr: = to open

音読み = おんよみ = on yomi = On reading = かい ( = kai)

Ex. 開場 = かいじょう

= kaijou

= opening the doors

(Ex. theaters, concert halls, places where events are held.)

:rrrr: 開場時間

= かいじょうじかん

= kaijou jikan

= Opening time for theaters, concert halls, events, etc.

Note: When you see a ticket for a concert, a musical, etc, you will see,

開場時間  ( = kaijou jikan)or 開演時間  ( = kaien jikan)

開場時間 ( = kaijoujikan) is the time the doors of the hall open and you can enter and 開演時間  ( = kaien jikan) is the time when the actual performance, concert, etc. begins.

Ex. 開店 = かいてん

= kaiten

= opening of a shop

:rrrr: 近所に新しいパチンコ屋が開店した。

= Kinjo ni atarashii pachinkonya ga kaiten shita.

= A new Pachinko parlor has opened in my neighborhood.

Ex. 開通 = かいつう

= kaitsuu

= to open to traffic

:rrrr: 今年新しい地下鉄の線が開通した。

= Kotoshi atarashii chikatetsu no sen ga kaitsuu shita.

= A new subway line has opened this year.

Ex. 開運 = かいうん

= kaiun

= to start to have better fortune →good luck

訓読み= くんよみ = kunyomi = Kun reading : ひら ( = hiraku) ひらける ( = hirakeru ) •   ( = aku) •  ける ( = akeru)

As you can see, there are four kun readings.

開く” can be read as

ひら ( = hiraku) or ( = aku)

and

開ける can be read as

ひらける  ( = hirakeru) or ける  ( =  akeru)

The reading of the kanji depends on the adjoining hiragana and kanji and it’s use in the sentence.

Also to make things more complicated, く ( = aku) is intransitive verb, and ひら ( = hiraku) can be a transitive verb or an intransitive verb.

I hope everything becomes clear in this lesson! Here we go!

:s: When you use it as a transitive verb: to open something

:rrrr: (object)開く = ひら( = hiraku)  or 開ける = ける ( = akeru)

Ex. ドアを開く = ドアをひら

= doa wo hiraku

= to open the door

or ドアを開ける=ドアをける

= doa wo akeru

= to open the door

Note : Which one to use?

The translation is both to open the door and there is a time when we use them equally. But 開く = ひら ( = hiraku) is a bit more formal, literal, a bit dramatic and is used when you stress the movement or describe the process of opening something “folded/closed tightly.” or spread something widely.

While 開ける= あける( = akeru)  just refers to the action of opening, 開く= ひら ( = hiraku) focuses on the action or movement of opening something widely.

For this reason, I would say we use 開ける= ける ( =  akeru) more in daily conversation

Ex. ちょっと、ドアを開けて!

= ちょっと、ドアをけて!

= Chotto, doa wo akete!

= Hey, open the door!

I don’t usually hear people say

ドアを開いて!= ドアをひらいて!  ( = doa wo hiraite).

Ex. 心の扉を開いてみよう。

= こころのとびらをひらいてみよう。

= Kokoro no tobira wo hiraite miyou.

= You should open up your heart.

Ex. 目を開けて下さい!

= めをけてください!

= Me wo akete kudasai

= Open your eyes! (Just physically open your eyes.)

Ex. 目を開いてよく現実を見てごらん。

= めをひらいてよくげんじつをみてごらん。

= Me wo hiraite yoku genjitsu wo mite goran.

= Open your eyes and see more reality.

Ex. 教科書を開いて下さい。

= きょうかしょをひらいてください。

= Kyoukasho wo hiraite kudasai .

= Open your textbook.

🔸When you use it as an intransitive verb,

:rrrr: (subject) が開く= (subject) く・ひら= (subject) ga aku/hiraku

 

You can use both ひらく  ( = hiraku) or ( = aku)

 

Ex. 風で門開く = かぜでドア / ひら

= kaze de mon ga aku/hiraku

The wind blew open the gate. (Literally: The door opened due to the wind.)

Ex. ドアが開いたままになっている。

= ドアがいた/ひらいたままになっている。

= Doa ga aita/hiraita mama ni natteiru.

= The door has been left open.

📝 Note : Pay attention to the particles.

When you use as a transitive verb, you need an object.

So you need to use an object marker を ( = wo)

and when you use it as an intransitive verb, you need a subject marker: が ( =ga)、( = wa)、or も  ( = mo)

If you pay attention to the particles, you’ll know which one to use.

Ex. ドアを開ける= ドアをける / ドアを開く = ドアをひら

= Doa wo akeru / Doa wo hiraku

= Somebody opens the door

Ex. ドアが開く = ドアがor ドアがひら

= Doa ga aku or Doa ga hiraku

= The door opens

Note 1): Again the difference between 開く= ( = aku) and 開く=ひらく ( = hiraku) is subtle. 開く= ひらく ( = hiraku) delivers the image that something opens up all the way or very wide.

Note 2): 開く= ひらく = hiraku) can be used both as both a transitive and intransitive verb.

⭐️ See the difference of the particles in the following sentences.

Ex. 何時にお店が  (or は)開きますか?

= なんじにおみせが (or は)きますか?

= Nanji ni omise ga (or wa) akimasu?

= What time does the store open?

Ex. 何時にお店を開けますか?

= なんじにおみせをけますか?

= Nanji ni omise wo akemasu ka?

= What time do you open the store?

🔸Another difference :

When you say

お店を開ける= おみせをける ( = omise wo akeru): You just open a store for the day.

 

お店を開く= おみせをひら ( = omise wo hiraku)

They have different meanings.

お店を開く= おみせをひらく ( = omise wo hiraku) is used when you start a business and open the store.

So if you say,

Ex. あの店はまだ開いていない。

= あのみせはまだひらいていない。

= Ano mise wa mada hiraite inai

It means they haven’t opened the store as a business = they haven’t started the business yet.

but if you say

Ex. あの店はまだ開いていない。

= あのみせはまだいていない。

= Ano mise wa mada aite inai.

It means the store hasn’t opened yet because it is too early in the morning/evening.

We can say the same thing about,

お店を開く = おみせをひら

= omise wo hiraku

= to open a shop (as a business)

and

お店を開ける = おみせをける

= omise wo akeru

= to open a store(in the morning/at night, etc.)

However, in conversation, some people use 開く=ひらく (  = hiraku) when discussing whether or not a store is open at that time or not.

Ex. こんな朝早く、どの店も開いていないよ。

=こんなあさはやくからどのみせもいていないよ→ひらいていないよ。

= Konna asa hayaku dono mise mo aitenaiyohiraite inaiyo.

= No shops are open this early in the morning.

Other examples :

Ex. 口を大きく開けて下さい。

= くちを大きくけて下さい。

= Kuchi wo ookiku akete kudasai.

= Open your mouth wide.

Ex. もっと大きく開いて!(or you can also say 開けて= けて = akete!)

= もっとおおきくひらいて!

= Motto ookiku  hiraite!

= Open it more!

Ex. 妻は、口を開けばいつも愚痴ばかりだ。

= つまは, くちをひらけばいつもぐちばかりだ。(Idiom!)

= Tsuma wa kuchi wo hirakeba itsumo guchi bakari

= My wife always complains. (Literally: When my wife opens her mouth, all she does is complain.)

Although, sometimes you can use both

開く= ひらく ( = hiraku) or 開ける = ける ( = akeru),

Ex. 包みを開く= つつみをひら

= tsutsumi wo hiraku

= to open a package

Ex. 包みを開ける= つつみをける

= tsutsumi wo akeru

= to open a package

 

開く= く ( = aku) or 開くひら( = hiraku)

Ex. 扉が開く= とびらが

= tobira ga aku

= The door opens

Ex. 扉が開く= とびらがひら

= tobira ga hiraku

= The door opens

There are certain objects/events which only use one of them.

 

⭐️ 開く=ひら(= hiraku) is used when something unfolds when you have a meeting, party, or event. Also, there are some idiomatic uses.

 

Ex. 花が開く = はながひら

= hana ga hiraku

=the bud unfolds flowers come into bloom

Ex. 扇子を開く= せんすをひら

= sensu wo hiraku

= to open a fan

Ex. 傘を開く

= かさをひら

= kasa wo hiraku

= to open an umbrella

Ex. 心を開く = こころをひら

= kokoro wo hiraku

= to open your heart

Ex . 銀行口座を開く = ぎんこうこうざをひら

= ginkou kouza wo hiraku

= to open a bank account

Ex. 会議を開く = かいぎをひら

= kaigi wo hiraku

= to have a meeting

Ex.誕生パーティーを開く= たんじょうパーティーをひら

= Tanjou paatii wo hiraku.

= to have (throw) a birthday party

 

 開く = (  = aku) is used when something /some space that was closed or zipped closed, opens up or comes off from the seam.

Ex. 缶詰を開ける = かんづめをける

= kanzume wo akeru

= to open a can

Ex. 穴を開ける = あなをける

= ana wo akeru

= to make a hole

Ex. 耳にピアスの穴を開けたい

= みみにピアスのあなをけたい

= Mimi ni piasu no ana wo aketai

= I want to pierce my ears.

Ex. 瓶を開ける

= びんをける

= Bin wo akeru

= to open a bottle

Ex. 鍵を開ける。

= かぎをける。

= Kagi wo akeru.

= to unlock

**********************

⭐️ 開ける= ひらける (= hirakeru) is an intransitive verb. We use it when we describe something that opens up or spreads out in front of us.

:rrrr: something  (or 開(ひら)ける= something ga (wa) hirakeru = something spreads out/expands

It more literal so we use it less compare to other three.

Ex. 運がだんだん開けてきた。= うんがだんだんひらけてきた。

= Un ga dandan hirakete kita.

= Luck is coming my way.

Ex. 山の頂上に行くと旧市街が眼下に開ける。

= やまのちょうじょうにいくときゅうしがいががんかにひらける。

= Yama no choujou ni iku to kyuushigai ga ganka ni hirakeru.

= When you go up to the top of the mountain,  the view of the old towns spread out below us.

 

Ex. 文明が開けた国= ぶんめいがひらけたくに

= Bunmei ga hiraketa kuni

= Civilized countries

Ex. まだこの辺は開けていない。= まだこのへんはらけていない。

= Mada kono hen wa hirakete inai.

= This area hasn’t been developed yet.

Ex. 彼はとっても開けた人だ。= かれはとってもひらけたひとだ。

= Kare wa tottemo hiraketa hito da

= He is a very open-minded person.

🌷If you want to learn more about transitive verbs and intransitive verbs,

Check 自動詞 & 他動詞 (じどうし&  たどうし= jidoushi & tadoushi) Intransitive verb and Transitive verb lesson.  ⇨Click here

***************************

Now finally let’s look at the picture above.

🐶そろそろお開きにしましょう!」

= Sorosoro ohiraki ni shimashou!

=Let’s finish the party now.

「えっ!?ケーキは?」

= Eh!? Keiki wa?

= What!? What about these cakes?

お開き = おひらき (= ohiraki) is a key word for today.

「そろそろお開きにしましょう!」

= Sorosoro ohiraki ni shimashou!

=Let’s finish the party now.

is a set phrase that you can use when you finish a party, 飲み会 ( = nomikai) a drinking party, 宴会 ( = enkai) a party, a banquet.

📝  Cultural note : そろそろ ( = sorosoro) is also a useful word when you imply to do some action or finish something. Remember Japanese people tend to avoid direct expressions.

You don’t need to say the whole sentence if you say そろそろ ( = sorosoro)

Most Japanese people would get a hint when a host or a guest says,

「じゃあ、そろそろ…」

= Jaa sorosoro

= Well, then, (it is time for us to leave or finish the party)

We can assume this person wants to go home or finish the party. (or they are ready to do something.)

Now what is お開き= おひらき  ( =ohiraki)?

The opposite kanji of is

:rrrr: (へい  ( = hei)・とじる (  =tojiru)しめる ( = shimeru) しまる  ( = shimaru))

For example, in Olympic games, we say

 

:rrrr: 開会式 = かいかいしき = kaikaishiki = opening ceremony

:rrrr: 閉会式 = へいかいしき = heikaishiki = closing ceremony

And we do say

Ex. それではこれで会を終わります。

= Sorede wa kore de kai wo owarimas.

= We will finish the party/meeting/ gathering now.

or

Ex. これで閉会にします。

= Kore de heikai ni shimasu.

= We will close the meeting/reunion/ ceremony

when we end a meeting, gathering, or event.

But we also say 御開き= おひらき  ( = ohiraki) when we finish a meeting, a party, a banquet, etc.

I know, I have taught you the meaning of 開く ( = hiraku) is to open. Why do we use it when we finish something, right?

There are certain words that we should avoid using in a happy occasion such as wedding parties or a party for someone who starts business.

I once taught you in my Japanese superstitions lesson (迷信 & 縁起 = meishin and Engi) not to give certain things at a wedding.

There are also certain words that are considered taboo at weddings.

If you are asked to give a speech for someone’s wedding, never use the words,

終わる( = owaru) = to finish別れる ( = wakareru)= to separate 切れる( = kireru) = to cut割れる ( = wareru)= to break,

流れ( = nagareru)= to flow破れる( = yabureru)= to rip apart壊れる ( = kowareru) = to break,

重ね重( = kasane gasane) repeatedly (→We avoid the words which repeat the same word because the wedding should be just once.), etc.

These are called 忌み言葉  ( =imi kotoba) taboo words.

For the same reason, traditionally when people have banquets, wedding parties, opening parties for a company or a store, etc. they generally avoid using the following words:

終わり( = owari) 、 終了( = shuuryou) = finishing, ending帰る ( = kaeru ) = going home、 去る ( = saru) = leaving、 散る  ( = chiru) disperse、散会 ( = sankai ) = to finish a meeting, a party

and instead, they say the opposite but more positive word,

🔹 御開き = お開き ( = ohiraki) when we finish a party, banquet, ceremony, etc.

 

⇨ verb form : 御開きにする= お開きにする = ohiraki ni suru

And nobody thinks they are about to open (or start) something. It is only used at the end of the events.

⭐️ How / When to use it :

 

Not just weddings or formal ceremonies, we use it often in daily life even when we have a casual small party, a drinking gathering with our friends, etc.

Ex. 今日はこのへんでお開きということで… (Usually, a host or 幹事(=kanji) the organizer, a person in charge of the meeting or party says this towards the end of the party.)

= Kyou wa kono hen de ohiraki to iu koto de…

= Well, let’s call it a day/night.

Ex. 今夜はこれでお開きとさせて頂きます。(formal)

= Konya wa kore de ohiraki to sasete itadakimasu.

= Allow us to call it a night now.

Ex. 今夜はこれでお開きね。(casual)

= Konya wa kore de ohiraki ne.

= Let’s call it a night now, OK?

Ex. そろそろお開きの時間じゃない?

= Sorosoro ohiraki no jikan ja nai?

= I guess it is time to finish the party/meeting/gathering now.

Ex.もうお開きなの?

= Mou ohiraki nano?

= Are we finishing the party already?

Ex. 昨日の飲み会、何時頃、お開きだったの?

= Kinou no nomikai nanjigoro ohiraki dattano?

= Around what time did the drinking party finish yesterday?

Ex. マギーが帰ったあとすぐにお開きになったよ。

= Maggie ga kaetta ato sugu ni ohiraki ni nattayo.

= Right after you(=Maggie) left, we finished the party.

(You can also use it for the meeting.)

Ex. 会議は8時にお開きとなった。

= Kaigi wa hachiji ni ohiraki to natta.

= The meeting (reunion) ended at 8 o’clock.

 

マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

お開きだって言ったのに誰も帰らないわ!

= Ohiraki datte ittanoni daremo kaeranai wa!

= I told them the party was over, but NOBODY is going home.

せっかくケーキを独り占めしようと思ったのに…

= Sekkaku keiki wo hitorijime shiyou to omotta noni..

= I was going to hog all the cakes but…

***

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30 Comments

  1. お開き is so interesting. Never known it before.
    If not reading this lesson, I will still think お開きis to start something (crying ….).

    Thanks Maggie sensei a lot !

  2. Whew, this is a lot of information, but thank you for the explanation. Maggie sensei, I have a question though. I understand the が and を difference for intransitive and transitive verbs, but I have seen examples that state:

    O-mise wa aite imasu (the store is open).

    while others state:

    O-mise ga aite imasu (the store is open).

    Some people say you must use が because it is intransive, but others say it doesn’t matter in this case. I’ve spent hours trying to sort this out, but you’re the one person whose explanations made sense. Tasukete! (sorry for being dramatic).

    Sorry for the romanji, I haven’t set up a furigana keyboard on my new computer yet.

    1. @Shabaescaba

      Hello Shabaescaba,
      OK, the difference between “が” and “は” is very complicated.
      The basic rule is
      AはBです (focusing on B)
      AがBです (focusing on A)

      1) When you are talking about general things you use は
      *この部屋は寒い= This room is cold.
      *彼はリーダーです。= He is a leader.

      And you usually use が when you focus on the subject
      (どの部屋が寒いのですか?(=Dono heya ga samui no desu ka?)= Which room is cold, you said? )
      →この部屋が寒い= (Kono heya ga samui) THIS ROOM is cold.
      (誰がリーダーですか?=(Dare ga riidaa desu ka?) = Who is the leader? )
      →彼がリーダーです。(Kare ga riidaa desu.) = He is the leader. (Emphasizing the subject)

      2) は is also used to emphasize what comes after showing the contrast.

      1) お店が開いています。O-mise wa aite imasu (the store is open).
      2) お店は開いています。O-mise ga aite imasu (the store is open).

      Imagine, you are walking and saw some store is open.
      If you simply describe what you saw, which one would you use?
      The answer is 1) お店が開いています。(=Omise ga aite imasu.)

      And imagine, you go to a coffee shop and it was closed. But they have a little store right next to the coffee shop and it was open. Which one would you use?
      The answer is 2) お店は開いています。(= Omise wa aite imasu.)

      So you use “は” in this case to show some contrast. (The store is open but maybe some other places are not.) Or to emphasize the subject more.

      その店は開いていますが、他の店は開いていません。
      = Sono mise wa aite imasu ga, hoka no mise wa aite imasen.
      = That store is open but other stores are not open.

  3. Hi sensei,

    sorry for the dumb question, but I still don’t get something. Is ひらける transitive or intransitive?

    1. @Steph

      Hi Steph
      ひらける is intransitive word
      ~がひらける
      Ex. 視界がひらける(x視界をひらける)
      Ex. 運がひらける (x運をひらける)
      Ex. 道がひらける (x 道をひらける)

      1. I see, thanks sensei!

        The part that confused me was this:

        “When you use it as a transitive verb : to open something

        (object)を開く = ひらく(= hiraku), 開ける = ひらける (= hirakeru)  or 開ける = あける(= akeru)”

        1. @Steph

          Ohhhh I’m sorry. That was a mistake. I fixed it.
          Thank you for spotting the mistake. I really appreciate it. I made this lesson two years ago and didn’t realize that mistake until now.
          And sorry for all the confusions.

          1. No problem sensei, I’m glad I could help.

            I only want to let you know that I’ve improved a lot thanks to your site. Keep up the good work!

  4. マギー先生のレッスンはとっても役立つです
    私は日本語の勉強を始まったところですが、もっと日常生活の日本語を学びたいんです。
    ワザワザこのサイトで無料のレッスンをつくるの事、ありがとうございます。
    きょうから よろしくお願いします
    あの、できれば”テキトー”この言葉の使う方を教えてくれませんか?

    1. @YongJi

      今日は!コメントありがとう!こちらこそよろしくお願いしますね。
      テキトー は”適当(てきとう)”という言葉から来ています。よかったらこのミニレッスンを見て下さいね。
      http://142.93.68.150/mini-lessons-2/?pid=108

      (少しだけ直しますね。:レッスンをつくるの事→ レッスンをつくってくれて)

  5. 先生、ありがとうございました。よろしければ、「閉める」と「閉じる」の違いも失明してもらいませんか?

    1. @whyyouandi

      OK, the difference between
      閉める(=shimeru) and 閉じる(=tojiru)

      First 閉める is transitive verb and 閉じる could be both transitive and intransitive verb.

      So you can say
      ○ドアを閉める = to close the door (as a transitive verb)
      ○ドアを閉じる = to close the door (as a transitive verb)

      But when you use it as an intransitive verb

      You can say
      ○ドアが閉じる = the door closes (an intransitive verb)
      but you can’t say
      x ドアが閉める

      *******
      So let’s focus on the cases when you use as a transitive verb

      閉じる
      閉める
      They both means “to close something” but

      閉める = shimeru = is used when you close something which was open or loose. (It also has a meaning such as to zip, to fasten (to tighten), to lock)
      and 閉じる= tojiru = to close something firmly. to put the curtains together, to block, to end (finish)

      There are certain things that you have to use either one

      ○目を閉じる= me wo tojiru
      x 目を閉める= me wo shimeru (wrong)

      1. Sorry for replying late. Thank you so much for the explanation Sensei, i think i get a bit of the grasp of it. Thank you so much for taking quite a time to explain, good luck always :)

  6. Whoaaaa! That was a lot of information. I’m still going to have trouble for a while, remembering which is correct to use in whatever text I’m reading, but at least I know I’ll always have this lesson to refer back to if I ever get stuck.

    THANK YOU!

  7. このレッスンはいい勉強になりました!ありがとうございました,マギー先生。\(^0^)/

    …わたしもケーキが食べたいな!(笑)

    1. @Remi Ayumi Lee

      よかった!
      ケーキほしかったらパーティーをお開きした後に内緒(ないしょ)であげるね。 :)

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