Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'opening up' in Japanese, covering physical opening, emotional openness, and starting new opportunities.
To open a door, window, container, etc.
To share feelings, become more communicative, or stop being reserved.
Literally 'open one's heart', meaning to open up emotionally, trust someone, or share true feelings.
彼女は徐々に心を開いてくれた。
She gradually opened up to me.
To begin a new opportunity, make something accessible, or initiate an activity.
To open up new land, a market, or a field; to pioneer or develop.
新市場を開拓する必要がある。
We need to open up new markets.
開ける (あける) is transitive: someone opens something. 開く (ひらく) is intransitive: something opens. 開く (あく) is also intransitive but often used for everyday things like doors, shops, or holes. For emotional opening, 心を開く (こころをひらく) uses ひらく, not あける.
Do not translate 'opening up' emotionally as 開ける (あける). That would mean physically opening something. Use 心を開く or 打ち解ける instead.
Please open the window.
彼はドアを開けた。
He opened the door.
Intransitive verb meaning something opens by itself or is in an open state. Used when the subject is the thing that opens.
Do not use 開く (ひらく) when you are the one opening something; use 開ける (あける) instead.
ドアが開いた。
The door opened.
Another reading of 開く, used for abstract or figurative opening, like opening an event or a book. Also used for flowers blooming.
店は9時に開く。
The store opens at 9.
It's important to open up to friends.
To become relaxed and open with someone, often after initial formality. Implies a warm, friendly atmosphere.
彼とはすぐに打ち解けた。
I quickly opened up to him / we hit it off.
To say one's true feelings or real intention, as opposed to 建前 (tatemae, public facade).
彼はなかなか本音を言わない。
He rarely opens up about his true feelings.
Literally 'open a path', meaning to pave the way or create an opportunity.
彼の研究が新しい治療法への道を開いた。
His research opened up a path to new treatments.
To open up to the public, release restrictions, or make freely available.
公園が一般に開放された。
The park was opened up to the public.