開ける vs 開け放す
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 開ける
Listen to 開け放す
| 開ける | 開け放す |
|---|---|
a-KEH-ru verb (transitive) | あけはなす verb (transitive) |
| to open (something); to unseal or make accessible | to throw open and leave open; to open wide and keep open |
How they differ
開け放す emphasizes that something was opened fully and left open (or opened and kept open), adding the nuance of duration or openness. 開ける only describes the action of opening without implying it remains open or how wide it was opened.
When to use each
When to use 開ける: Prefer 開ける when you only want to describe the act of opening an object, without implying it was left open or opened extensively.
When to use 開け放す: Prefer 開け放す when you want to stress that the item was opened wide and left open (e.g., windows, doors), or to create a stronger, more vivid image.
Side-by-side examples
- 窓を開けて換気した。
(I opened the window to ventilate.) - 暑いので窓を開け放した。
(Because it was hot, I threw the windows wide open (and left them open).)
Register & nuance: 開け放す is colloquial and vivid; it's commonly used in everyday speech to emphasize openness and duration rather than in formal writing.