Translation guide
The English phrase "open up" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: physically opening something, starting a business or event, becoming more communicative, and making opportunities available.
To cause something closed to become open, such as a door, window, box, or lid.
Transitive verb meaning 'to open' something. Use this when you are opening an object.
窓を開けてください。
Please open the window.
彼はドアを開けた。
He opened the door.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to open' (something opens by itself). Use this when the subject opens on its own.
ドアが突然開いた。
The door suddenly opened.
Transitive verb meaning 'to open' (a book, a map, an event, etc.). Often used for opening things that unfold or spread out.
本を開いてください。
Please open the book.
To begin operating a business, store, or event, or to make it available for the first time.
Transitive verb used for opening a shop, restaurant, or event. Can also be intransitive for the shop opening.
彼は新しいレストランを開いた。
He opened a new restaurant.
来月、新しい店が開きます。
A new store will open next month.
Loanword from English, commonly used for businesses opening, especially in casual or commercial contexts.
あのカフェは先週オープンした。
That cafe opened last week.
Formal term for starting a business or practice (e.g., medical, legal).
彼は医院を開業した。
He opened a medical practice.
To start talking more freely about personal thoughts or feelings, or to become less reserved.
Literally 'open one's heart/mind'. Used when someone becomes emotionally open or receptive.
彼女はなかなか心を開かない。
She doesn't open up easily.
彼に心を開いて話してみたら？
Why don't you try opening up to him?
To become friendly and relaxed with someone, to open up and feel at ease.
To say what one really thinks; to speak honestly. Implies revealing true feelings.
彼はなかなか本音を言わない。
He rarely opens up about his true feelings.
To create new opportunities, possibilities, or access that were not available before.
Literally 'open a path/way'. Used for creating new opportunities or possibilities.
この発明は新しい可能性への道を開いた。
This invention opened up new possibilities.
To carve out, pioneer, or open up (a path, future, etc.). Often used for forging ahead despite difficulties.
彼は自分の未来を切り開いた。
He opened up his own future.
To open up or liberalize (a market, system, etc.). Often used in economic or political contexts.
政府は市場を開放した。
The government opened up the market.
English 'open up' is often used figuratively. Direct translation with 開ける only works for physical opening. For emotional opening, use 心を開く or 打ち解ける. For starting a business, use 開く or オープンする.
開ける (あける) is transitive: you open something. 開く (ひらく) can be both transitive and intransitive, and is used for opening things that spread out (books, maps, events). 開く (あく) is intransitive: something opens by itself. Choose based on whether there is a direct object and the nature of the opening.
彼とはすぐに打ち解けた。
I opened up to him right away.