開きます（ひらきます、hirakimasu）
- to open

The Japanese verb 開きます (hirakimasu) generally means "to open" something. It is an intransitive verb, meaning that it usually describes something opening *by itself* or being in an *opened* state. It can also mean "to open (a business, event, etc.)". ⚫︎ It often implies that something is becoming unclosed, unfolded, or accessible. ⚫︎ It suggests a change of state, moving from a closed or folded position to an open one. ⚫︎ The subject of 開きます is usually the thing *being* opened, not the person doing the opening. The person doing the opening would use a transitive verb such as 開けます (akemasu). ⚫︎ The word has several nuances. It can describe physical objects, like doors or windows, as well as more abstract concepts, like opening a business or starting an event. Here are some of its core meanings: ⚫︎ To open (something, usually by itself, like a door). ⚫︎ To open up (like a flower blooming). ⚫︎ To become open (a business). ⚫︎ To start (an event). ⚫︎ To be open. (in the sense of being accessible or available).

⚫︎ドアが開きます Translation: The door opens. ⚫︎お店が開きます Translation: The shop opens. ⚫︎花が開きます Translation: The flower opens/blooms.

⚫︎ Use 開きます when the object opens itself, or when something is in an open state. It describes a change of state. ⚫︎ Use it when talking about businesses or events starting or being in operation. ⚫︎ Be mindful of the subject of the sentence; it is the *thing* that is opening. ⚫︎ For *opening something* (like you doing the action of opening a door), use the transitive verb 開けます (akemasu).

⚫︎ The word is written in hiragana as ひらきます, or in kanji as 開きます. ⚫︎ The base form is 開く (hiraku). ⚫︎ The ます-form (polite form) is 開きます (hirakimasu). ⚫︎ The -te form is 開いて (hiraite). ⚫︎ Variations in okurigana are consistent, with the kanji 開 followed by きます to indicate the verb form.

⚫︎ 開ける (akeru): This is the *transitive* form, meaning "to open (something)" by someone. ⚫︎ 始まる (hajimaru): To begin/start (often used for events). ⚫︎ 開通する (kaitsuusuru): To open (a road, passage, etc.).

⚫︎ 閉まります (shimarimasu): To close (intransitive). ⚫︎ 閉める (shimeru): To close (transitive).

朝9時に、お店が開きます。 ・Translation: The shop opens at 9 a.m. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the opening of the shop, indicating when it begins its business hours. The shop is the subject, and it opens *itself*.

桜の花が開きました。 ・Translation: The cherry blossoms opened. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the cherry blossoms blooming. The flowers are the subject.

The verb 開く, from which 開きます is derived, is made up of the kanji 開 which has meanings related to "opening", "expanding", and "developing". The origin is linked to the concept of separating or spreading something that was closed.