öffnen
to open
To make something that is closed (e.g., a door, a window, a bottle, a book) accessible or open it up.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte das Fenster öffnen?
Can you please open the window?
öffnen
to open
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Meanings
öffnen
to open
To make a business, event, or institution accessible to the public or put it into operation.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Schwimmbad öffnet am ersten Juni.
The new swimming pool opens on the first of June.
sich öffnen
to open up
To share personal thoughts and feelings; to become more trusting and talkative.
EXAMPLE
Nach einer Weile hat sie sich mir gegenüber geöffnet und von ihren Sorgen erzählt.
After a while, she opened up to me and told me about her worries.
öffnen
to open
To set up or start something new, for example a bank account or a computer file.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann das Dokument nicht öffnen, die Datei scheint beschädigt zu sein.
I can’t open the document; the file seems to be corrupted.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'öffnen' (to open) is the action that causes something to be 'offen' (open). It is derived directly from the adjective 'offen'.
EXAMPLE
Das Fenster ist offen, weil ich es gerade geöffnet habe.
The window is open because I just opened it.
Participle as adjective
The past participle 'geöffnet' (opened/open) is very often used like an adjective to describe a state. It answers the question 'How is something?'.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschäfte sind sonntags nicht geöffnet.
The shops are not open on Sundays.
Sentence structure
In this meaning, the subject is usually an institution (shop, museum, etc.), not a person. A time or date is often mentioned for when the opening takes place.
EXAMPLE
Die Bibliothek öffnet erst um 10 Uhr.
The library doesn’t open until 10 o’clock.
Reflexive use
When a person becomes more emotionally accessible, the reflexive verb 'sich öffnen' (to open up) is used. It is often followed by the preposition 'gegenüber' with a person in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er braucht Zeit, um sich neuen Leuten gegenüber zu öffnen.
He needs time to open up to new people.
Typical collocations
In digital and administrative contexts, 'öffnen' (to open) is used for starting or setting up things. Typical objects are 'eine Datei' (a file), 'ein Dokument' (a document), 'eine E-Mail' (an email), or 'ein Konto' (an account).
EXAMPLE
Um Kunde zu werden, müssen Sie zuerst ein Konto bei uns öffnen.
To become a customer, you first have to open an account with us.
Compare with
öffnen vs eröffnen
to open
Both verbs can refer to the start of a business or event’s public operation. „Eröffnen“ emphasizes the official or first opening, while „öffnen“ also refers to simply making something accessible during regular operations. Use „eröffnen“ for the official opening and „öffnen“ for daily access.
öffnen
Der Händler öffnet den Stadtmarkt jeden Samstag um acht Uhr.
The market vendor opens the city market at eight o’clock every Saturday.
eröffnen
Die Bürgermeisterin eröffnet am Samstag den neuen Stadtmarkt.
The mayor is officially opening the new city market on Saturday.
In real life
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