Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 開ける | akeru | [a̠ke̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) [çiɾa̠ke̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 解錠する | kaijou suru | |
| 解除する | kaijo suru | |
| 錠をあける | jō o akeru | |
| 鍵をあける | kagi o akeru | |
| 解く | toku | [to̞kɯ̟] (narrow) [ho̞do̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
The Japanese language uses different words for 'unlock' depending on whether you are dealing with a physical lock, a technical restriction or a metaphorical knot. 開ける is a common way to say 'to open', but when used in the context of a lock, it is often used as a shorthand for the act of unlocking. 解錠する is used for the mechanical act of unlocking a physical object, while 解除する is used for 'unlocking' in the sense of disabling a restriction, such as a password or a screen lock. Finally, 解く is used when 'unlocking' refers to untying a knot or solving a puzzle.
Which one should you use?
開ける is a general term for opening or unlocking, whereas 解錠する is a technical, formal term specifically for the mechanical act of using a key to unlock a physical lock. 解除する differs by focusing on disabling settings or restrictions rather than physical mechanisms. 解く should not be used for a door lock, but rather for untying something or solving a problem.
How do you pronounce it?
akeru
Did you know?
- The word 開ける shares its pronunciation and roots with the Japanese words for 'to dawn' and 'to empty'.
- If you use the formal word 解錠する while chatting with friends, you might sound like you are reading from a police report or a technical manual.
- The verb 解く is used for 'unlocking' when it involves solving a riddle or untying a knot, making it the same word used to 'solve' a mathematical problem.
Examples in context
- 扉の鍵を開ける唯一の方法は、内側から開けることです。The only way to unlock the door is to open it from the inside.This sentence is useful for expressing how to use the form 開ける to describe unlocking a door from the inside.Tatoeba #9399699 by small_snow, translation #9399684 by DJ_Saidez
- 暗証番号を入力して、鍵を開ける。anshō bangō o nyūryoku shite, kagi o akeru.Enter the PIN to unlock the lock.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
陽太と陽葵が家の玄関の前で立ち止まっている。
- 陽太 Yota鍵が開かないんだけど。kagi ga akanai ndakedo.The lock won't open.
- 陽葵 Himari私が鍵を開けるね。watashi ga kagi o akeru ne.I'll unlock it.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、助かるよ。arigatō, tasukaru yo.Thanks, that helps.
- 陽葵 Himariこれで開いたよ。kore de aita yo.It's open now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unlock” translations and entries 開ける, 解く, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 開ける, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
