What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb abrir (to open) in its imperative form, the definite article la (the) and the noun puerta (door).
Which one should you use?
In this Spanish construction, abre is strictly the conjugated verb form, unlike English where 'open' can function as both an adjective and a verb.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you will often hear Abrime la puerta to mean 'Open the door'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form abre la puerta uses the informal imperative (tú command). To address a single person formally, use the formal imperative abra la puerta. If you are addressing more than one person, use the plural imperative abran la puerta. You may also use the informal form Ábreme la puerta to specifically mean 'Open the door for me'.
How do you pronounce it?
/abɾe la pweɾta/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word puerta is a close relative of the English word 'port' and the Latin 'porta'. Both stem from a root meaning 'to carry' or 'a passage'.
- Beyond a physical entrance, the phrase abrir la puerta can be used figuratively to mean granting someone access to a new social circle or opportunity.
- In Argentina and other regions using 'voseo', the command abre changes to abrí, shifting the stress to the final syllable.
Examples in context
- Bill, abre la puerta.Bill, open the door.This is useful for addressing someone named Bill.Tatoeba #672916 by Shishir, translation #674460 by Zifre
- Abre la puerta, por favor.Open the door, please.This demonstrates adding politeness to the request.Tatoeba #908636 by inmachan, translation #38523 by CK
- Por favor, abre la puerta.Please open the door.This shows the placement of 'please' at the start of the sentence.Tatoeba #2308989 by Shishir, translation #39008 by CK
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is stuck outside his apartment and calls Lucía.
- AlejandroLucía, abre la puerta.Lucía, open the door.
- Lucía¿No tienes las llaves, Alejandro?Don't you have the keys, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo, las olvidé en la mesa.No, I forgot them on the table.
- LucíaEstá bien, te abro ahora.Okay, I'll open it for you now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, puerta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
