offen
open
Not closed, locked, or covered.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte das offene Fenster schließen? Es zieht.
Can you please close the open window? There's a draft.
offen
open
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Meanings
offen
open
Honest, direct, and without hiding anything; sincere.
EXAMPLE
Wir sollten ein offenes Gespräch über unsere Probleme führen.
We should have an open conversation about our problems.
offen
open
Not yet decided, clarified, or completed.
EXAMPLE
Die Frage, wer die Reise bezahlt, ist immer noch offen.
The question of who will pay for the trip is still open.
offen
open
Receptive and responsive to new ideas, suggestions, or experiences.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist eine sehr kreative Person und immer offen für neue Ansätze.
She is a very creative person and always open to new approaches.
offen
open
Refers to a job that is unfilled and available.
EXAMPLE
In unserer Abteilung gibt es eine offene Stelle für einen Projektmanager.
In our department, there is an open position for a project manager.
offen
outstanding
Describes an invoice or debt that has not yet been paid.
EXAMPLE
Bitte begleichen Sie die noch offene Rechnung bis Ende des Monats.
Please settle the still outstanding invoice by the end of the month.
offen
open
Accessible to everyone; public and without restrictions.
EXAMPLE
Der Wettbewerb ist offen für Teilnehmer aus allen Ländern.
The competition is open to participants from all countries.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'offen' (open) belongs to the word family of the verb 'öffnen' (to open). This connection helps you understand the basic meaning 'not closed', which is still recognizable in many figurative meanings.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du bitte die Flasche für mich öffnen?
Could you please open the bottle for me?
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'offen' (open) is often combined with things that can be physically closed: ein offenes Fenster (an open window), eine offene Tür (an open door), ein offener Briefumschlag (an open envelope), or ein offenes Buch (an open book).
EXAMPLE
Er saß mit offenem Mund da und staunte.
He sat there with his mouth open, amazed.
Typical collocations
When it is about honesty, 'offen' (open) is often connected with words of communication. Typical phrases are 'ein offenes Gespräch' (an open conversation), 'offene Worte' (open words/frank words), or the fixed combination 'offen und ehrlich' (open and honest).
EXAMPLE
Ich schätze an ihr, dass sie immer offen und ehrlich ihre Meinung sagt.
What I appreciate about her is that she always says her opinion openly and honestly.
Typical collocations
To express that something has not yet been decided, 'offen' (open) is often used with abstract nouns. Common combinations are 'eine offene Frage' (an open question), 'ein offener Punkt' (an open point/unresolved issue), or 'ein offenes Ergebnis' (an open result).
EXAMPLE
Es ist noch eine offene Frage, ob wir die Reise wirklich machen können.
It is still an open question whether we can really take the trip.
Fixed preposition
When 'offen' means open-mindedness or receptiveness, it is almost always used with the preposition 'für' and the accusative. The structure is: 'offen für etwas sein' (to be open to something).
EXAMPLE
Ich bin immer offen für neue Ideen und Vorschläge.
I am always open to new ideas and suggestions.
Context: work
The meaning 'unfilled' is typical in the context of the workplace. People speak of an 'offene Stelle' (open position) or an 'offene Position' (open position) when a company is looking for new employees.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Firma hat zurzeit zwei offene Stellen in der IT-Abteilung.
Our company currently has two open positions in the IT department.
Context: finance
In the meaning 'unpaid', 'offen' (outstanding/unpaid) is used almost exclusively in connection with finances and debts. Typical collocations are 'eine offene Rechnung' (an outstanding invoice) or 'offene Forderungen' (outstanding claims/receivables).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe noch eine offene Rechnung vom Handwerker zu bezahlen.
I still have an outstanding invoice from the handyman to pay.
Compare with
aufdirektfreibereitöffentlichehrlichzugänglichliberalunentschiedentransparentungeklärtunbestimmtgeöffnethängendempfänglichunbeantwortetunbezahltungelöstunbesetztanhängigausstehendweltoffen
offen vs auf
on / onto / open
Auf and offen can both mean that something is not closed. Auf is more colloquial and is used mainly to describe a state; offen is the neutral and more versatile choice. With a door, both forms are possible.
offen
Die Tür zum Garten ist noch offen.
The door to the garden is still open.
auf
Die Tür zum Garten ist noch auf.
The door to the garden is still open.
In real life
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