「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.
開 = 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.)
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
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
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 : ひらく ( = hiraku) •ひらける ( = hirakeru ) • あく ( = aku) • あける ( = akeru)
As you can see, there are four kun readings.
“開く” can be read as
⇨ひらく ( = hiraku) or あく ( = aku)
and
“開ける“ can be read as
⇨ ひらける ( = hirakeru) or あける ( = 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, あく ( = aku) is intransitive verb, and ひらく ( = 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
(object）を開く = ひらく( = hiraku) or 開ける = あける ( = akeru)
Ex. ドアを開く = ドアをひらく
= doa wo hiraku
= to open the door
or ドアを開ける=ドアをあける
= 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 = ひらく ( = 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= ひらく ( = hiraku) focuses on the action or movement of opening something widely.
For this reason, I would say we use 開ける= あける ( = akeru) more in daily conversation
Ex. ちょっと、ドアを開けて！
= ちょっと、ドアをあけて！
= 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！
= めをあけてください！
= 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,
(subject) が開く= (subject) があく・ひらく= (subject) ga aku/hiraku
You can use both ひらく ( = hiraku) or あく ( = aku)
Ex. 風で門が開く = かぜでドアがあく / ひらく
= 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。
= ドアがあいた/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 開 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)、は( = 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= ドアをあける / ドアを開く = ドアをひらく
= Doa wo akeru / Doa wo hiraku
= Somebody opens the door
Ex. ドアが開く = ドアがあく or ドアがひらく
= Doa ga aku or Doa ga hiraku
= The door opens
Note 1): Again the difference between 開く= あく ( = 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）あきますか？
= 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？
= なんじにおみせをあけますか？
= Nanji ni omise wo akemasu ka?
= What time do you open the store?
🔸Another difference :
When you say
お店を開ける= おみせをあける ( = omise wo akeru): You just open a store for the day.
お店を開く= おみせをひらく ( = 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。
= あのみせはまだあいていない。
= 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 = おみせをひらく
= omise wo hiraku
= to open a shop (as a business)
and
お店を開ける = おみせをあける
= 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あいていないよ→ひらいていないよ。
= Konna asa hayaku dono mise mo aitenaiyo→hiraite inaiyo.
= No shops are open this early in the morning.
Other examples :
Ex. 口を大きく開けて下さい。
= くちを大きくあけて下さい。
= 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= あけて = 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 = あける ( = akeru),
Ex. 包みを開く= つつみをひらく
= tsutsumi wo hiraku
= to open a package
Ex. 包みを開ける= つつみをあける
= tsutsumi wo akeru
= to open a package
開く= あく ( = aku) or 開く＝ひらく( = hiraku)
Ex. 扉が開く= とびらがあく
= tobira ga aku
= The door opens
Ex. 扉が開く= とびらがひらく
= tobira ga hiraku
= The door opens
There are certain objects/events which only use one of them.
↓
⭐️ 開く=ひらく(= 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 = はながひらく
= hana ga hiraku
=the bud unfolds → flowers come into bloom
Ex. 扇子を開く= せんすをひらく
= sensu wo hiraku
= to open a fan
Ex. 傘を開く
= かさをひらく
= kasa wo hiraku
= to open an umbrella
Ex. 心を開く = こころをひらく
= 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く
= ginkou kouza wo hiraku
= to open a bank account
Ex. 会議を開く = かいぎをひらく
= 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く
= Tanjou paatii wo hiraku.
= to have (throw) a birthday party
開く = あく( = 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 = かんづめをあける
= kanzume wo akeru
= to open a can
Ex. 穴を開ける = あなをあける
= 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あけたい
= Mimi ni piasu no ana wo aketai
= I want to pierce my ears.
Ex. 瓶を開ける
= びんをあける
= Bin wo akeru
= to open a bottle
Ex. 鍵を開ける。
= かぎをあける。
= 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.
something が (or は）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。= まだこのへんはひらけていない。
= 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 開 is
閉 (へい ( = hei)・とじる ( =tojiru)・しめる ( = shimeru) しまる ( = shimaru))
For example, in Olympic games, we say
開会式 = かいかいしき = kaikaishiki = opening ceremony
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,
流れる( = nagareru)= to flow 、破れる( = yabureru)= to rip apart、壊れる ( = kowareru) = to break,
重ね重ね( = 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
Trying to process all of this wonderful information. So for a sentence like: I open the book, would: 私は本を開くbe correct?
Yes, that’s correct. You say (私は）本を開く（ほんをひらく）・開きます（ひらきます）。
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 !
Haha I’m glad to hear you learned some new expression here! ☺️
どうもありがとうございました！
Ahhh, 今わかります. とても簡単です。ありがとうございました
@Shabaescaba
よかった！！
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.
@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.
Hi sensei,
sorry for the dumb question, but I still don’t get something. Is ひらける transitive or intransitive?
@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）
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)”
@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.
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!
＠Steph
ありがとう！！がんばります！！ :)
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？
@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）
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？
@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)
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 :)
@whyyouandi
You’re welcome! :)
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!
@chibola
Yes, please come back again and again!!
Maggie Sensei,
Could you kindly explain how you change まつ (to
wait) to 待ちきれません? Thank you!
Glenn
@glennliou
Oh, what a coincidence!
I just made a mini lesson on 待ちきれない on Facebook. Check http://tinyurl.com/7xwzhyn and if you have a question, let me know.
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)
@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。 :)
*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･'(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)’･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*ありがとうございました。
^^thank you much, sensei, for making the sound clip compatible with iPhone and iPad^^
@Top
Just for you♡ (and many other people who use iPhone or iPad! :) )