ouvert
/u.vɛʁ/
The English word "open" is translated into French as ouvert.
ouvert is used as an adjective to describe something that is not closed.
Meaning: not closed (adj)
Which one should you use?
It is important not to confuse the adjective ouvert (open) with the verb ouvrir (to open).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it describes, so use 'ouverte' for feminine nouns. The adjective takes the form 'ouverts' when describing a masculine plural noun. The adjective takes the form 'ouvertes' when describing a feminine plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /u.vɛʁ/.
Did you know?
- The English word 'overt' is a distant 'cousin' to ouvert, both descending from the same Latin root meaning 'opened' or 'exposed'.
- While ouvert means 'open', French uses the phrase en plein air to describe an 'open-air' setting, such as a market or a concert.
- When a shop is not 'open' in the sense of being available for business, a French sign might say fermé (closed) rather than pas ouvert.
Examples in context
- Tu es très ouvert.You're very open.This sentence uses ouvert to describe a person's personality.Tatoeba #2227174 by sacredceltic, translation #2218494 by CK
- Il est très ouvert.He's very open.Tatoeba #1891864 by sacredceltic, translation #1890731 by Spamster
- Ton sac est ouvert.Your bag's open.This sentence uses ouvert to describe a bag.Tatoeba #4260260 by gillux, translation #3327118 by CK
- Le musée est ouvert aujourd'hui.The museum is open today.
- La boutique est ouverte le dimanche.The shop is open on Sundays.
- Tu peux ouvrir la fenêtre, s'il te plaît?Can you open the window, please?
- J'ouvre une bouteille de vin pour célébrer.I'm opening a bottle of wine to celebrate.
- On va au supermarché? – Oui, c'est ouvert.Shall we go to the supermarket? – Yes, it's open.
- Je suis allé au cinéma, mais c'était fermé. – Ah bon? Normalement c'est ouvert le jeudi soir.I went to the cinema, but it was closed. – Oh really? It's usually open on Thursday nights.
- La porte du garage est béante.The garage door is wide open.
- Il avait la bouche béante d'étonnement.He had his mouth wide open in astonishment.
- La fenêtre est restée grand ouverte toute la nuit.The window remained wide open all night.
- Je suis monté en voiture avec la porte grand ouverte.I got in the car with the door wide open.
- 439 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are standing in front of a cafe.
- LéaEst-ce que ce café est ouvert ?Is this cafe open?
- HugoOui, la porte est ouverte.Yes, the door is open.
- LéaParfait, entrons vite.Perfect, let's go in quickly.
- HugoD'accord, allons-y.Okay, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “open” translations and entries ouvert, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ouvert, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
