to open
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to open
To make something accessible to the public for the first time, for example a shop, an exhibition, or a building.
Nächste Woche wird in der Innenstadt ein neues Einkaufszentrum eröffnet.
A new shopping center will open downtown next week.
to open
To formally begin something, for example a meeting, debate, or event.
Der Vorsitzende eröffnete die Versammlung um 10 Uhr.
The chair opened the meeting at 10 o'clock.
to open
To set up an account at a bank or another institution.
Ich möchte ein Girokonto bei Ihrer Bank eröffnen.
I would like to open a checking account at your bank.
to open up
To create or make accessible new possibilities or perspectives.
Diese Entdeckung eröffnet der Forschung völlig neue Wege.
This discovery opens up completely new paths for research.
to reveal
To tell someone important, often personal information.
Er eröffnete ihr, dass er das Land verlassen würde.
He revealed to her that he would leave the country.
'Eröffnen' (to open) consists of the inseparable prefix 'er-' and the verb 'öffnen' (to open). The prefix 'er-' often gives the simple act of opening an official, formal, or first-time dimension.
Der Bürgermeister wird die neue Brücke feierlich eröffnen.
The mayor will officially open the new bridge.
The object of the verb determines the exact meaning. You open a shop (m01), open a meeting (m02), open an account (m03), or open up possibilities (m04).
Sie hat letztes Jahr ein kleines Café eröffnet.
She opened a small café last year.
This meaning is used for the first-time opening of places that are accessible to the public. Typical phrases are: 'ein Geschäft eröffnen' (to open a shop), 'eine Ausstellung eröffnen' (to open an exhibition), 'eine Praxis eröffnen' (to open a practice), or 'eine Filiale eröffnen' (to open a branch).
Die Künstlerin eröffnet nächste Woche ihre neue Ausstellung in Berlin.
The artist is opening her new exhibition in Berlin next week.
When opening an account, the bank or institution is named with the preposition 'bei'.
Er hat ein Sparkonto bei der lokalen Sparkasse eröffnet.
He opened a savings account at the local savings bank.
In this figurative meaning, 'eröffnen' (to open up) is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'Möglichkeiten' (possibilities), 'Chancen' (opportunities), 'Perspektiven' (perspectives), or 'Wege' (paths/ways).
Das Stipendium eröffnete ihr die Möglichkeit, im Ausland zu studieren.
The scholarship opened up the possibility for her to study abroad.
When telling someone important news, the person receiving the information is named in the dative. The structure is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) eröffnen.
Sie musste ihm eröffnen, dass sie den Job in einer anderen Stadt angenommen hatte.
She had to reveal to him that she had accepted the job in another city.
to begin
Beginnen and eröffnen can both refer to the start of a meeting or event. Beginnen mainly describes when something starts, while eröffnen additionally emphasizes the formal opening act carried out by the person responsible for it. Use beginnen for the start in terms of timing; eröffnen is more appropriate for an official opening.
Die Vorsitzende eröffnet die Sitzung mit einer kurzen Begrüßung.
The chair opens the meeting with a brief welcome.
Die Vorsitzende beginnt die Sitzung mit einer kurzen Begrüßung.
The chair begins the meeting with a brief welcome.
