This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

開く

Reading

Kana: ひらく
Romaji: hiraku
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

v5k
vi
vt
1

to open; to undo; to unseal; to unpack

2

to bloom; to unfold; to spread out

3

to open (for business, e.g. in the morning)

4

to be wide (gap, etc.); to widen

v5k
vt
5

to hold (meeting, etc.); to give; to open

6

to found (nation, dynasty, sect, etc.); to open (a new business); to set up; to establish; to start

7

to open (ports, borders, etc.)

8

to open (an account)

9

to open up (new land, path, etc.); to clear; to develop

See also: 拓く
10

to open (a file, etc.)

(Computer terminology)
11

to extract (root); to reduce (equation)

(Mathematics)
12

to cut open (fish)

(Food term)
Note: as 魚を開く
13

to change (kanji into hiragana)

v5k
vi
14

to flare (e.g. skirt)

15

to slacken (into a poor posture)

(Sports term)
Note: as 体が開く, 肩が開く, etc.

Kanji

Readings: カイ、 ひら.く、 ひら.き、 -びら.き、 ひら.ける、 あ.く、 あ.ける
Meanings: open, unfold, unseal

Example Sentences

(ほん)(ひら)くな。
➥Don't open your book.
Full Entry➤
(まぶた)(おお)きく(ひら)く。
➥An eyelid opens wide.
Full Entry➤
()(かぜ)(ひら)いた。
➥The door blew open.
Full Entry➤
ドアが(ひら)いた。
➥The door opened.
Full Entry➤
()(ひら)きなさい。
➥Open your eyes.
Full Entry➤
(もん)(いま)(ひら)いている。
➥The gate is open now.
Full Entry➤
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開く

空く、 明く

Reading

Kana: あく
Romaji: aku
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

v5k
vi
1

to open (e.g. doors)

Note: esp. 開く
2

to open (e.g. business, etc.)

Note: esp. 開く
3

to be empty

Note: esp. 空く
4

to be vacant; to be available; to be free

Note: esp. 空く
5

to be open (e.g. neckline, etc.)

Note: esp. 明く
6

to have been opened (of one's eyes, mouth, etc.)

Note: esp. 明く
7

to come to an end

Note: esp. 明く
v5k
vt
8

to open (one's eyes, mouth, etc.)

Note: esp. 明く
v5k
vi
9

to have a hole; to form a gap; to have an interval (between events)

See also: 穴が開く

Kanji

Readings: カイ、 ひら.く、 ひら.き、 -びら.き、 ひら.ける、 あ.く、 あ.ける
Meanings: open, unfold, unseal
Readings: クウ、 そら、 あ.く、 あ.き、 あ.ける、 から、 す.く、 す.かす、 むな.しい
Meanings: empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum
Readings: メイ、 ミョウ、 ミン、 あ.かり、 あか.るい、 あか.るむ、 あか.らむ、 あき.らか、 あ.ける、 -あ.け、 あ.く、 あ.くる、 あ.かす
Meanings: bright, light

Example Sentences

(ほん)(ひら)くな。
➥Don't open your book.
Full Entry➤
(まぶた)(おお)きく(ひら)く。
➥An eyelid opens wide.
Full Entry➤
()(かぜ)(ひら)いた。
➥The door blew open.
Full Entry➤
ドアが(ひら)いた。
➥The door opened.
Full Entry➤
()(ひら)きなさい。
➥Open your eyes.
Full Entry➤
(もん)(いま)(ひら)いている。
➥The gate is open now.
Full Entry➤
Find More