Signification
A command or request.
Contexte culturel
In traditional Greek villages, an open door was a symbol of honesty and hospitality. It meant the family had nothing to hide and everyone was welcome. Many famous Greek songs use the phrase 'Άνοιξε την πόρτα' as a plea for a lover to return or for a new beginning in life. The 'Golden Gate' of Constantinople was the most ceremonial door in the Greek world, only opened for the Emperor's triumphs. In Greek apartment buildings, it is common to use the intercom to ask someone to open the main entrance door before they reach your specific flat.
The Plural of Politeness
Always use 'Ανοίξτε' when you want to be polite, even if you are only talking to one person.
Don't forget the 'ν'
Keep the 'ν' in 'την' because 'πόρτα' starts with 'π'. It helps with the flow of speech.
Signification
A command or request.
The Plural of Politeness
Always use 'Ανοίξτε' when you want to be polite, even if you are only talking to one person.
Don't forget the 'ν'
Keep the 'ν' in 'την' because 'πόρτα' starts with 'π'. It helps with the flow of speech.
Add 'Παρακαλώ'
Adding 'παρακαλώ' (please) makes any command sound much softer and more natural.
Intercom Etiquette
When using an intercom, it's common to just say 'Ανοίξτε!' after identifying yourself.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct formal form to ask a stranger to open the door.
________ την πόρτα, παρακαλώ.
'Ανοίξτε' is the formal/plural imperative required for a polite request to a stranger.
Complete the sentence with the correct article (τη or την).
Ανοίξτε ____ πόρτα.
We use 'την' because 'πόρτα' starts with 'π'.
Complete the dialogue between a customer and a shopkeeper.
Customer: Συγγνώμη, μπορείτε να ________ την πόρτα; Shopkeeper: Βεβαίως!
The customer uses the formal 'να ανοίξετε' to address the shopkeeper.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are telling your two children to open the door for their grandma.
Since you are talking to two people (plural), 'Ανοίξτε' is the correct form.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs Informal
Banque d exercices
4 exercices________ την πόρτα, παρακαλώ.
'Ανοίξτε' is the formal/plural imperative required for a polite request to a stranger.
Ανοίξτε ____ πόρτα.
We use 'την' because 'πόρτα' starts with 'π'.
Customer: Συγγνώμη, μπορείτε να ________ την πόρτα; Shopkeeper: Βεβαίως!
The customer uses the formal 'να ανοίξετε' to address the shopkeeper.
Situation: You are telling your two children to open the door for their grandma.
Since you are talking to two people (plural), 'Ανοίξτε' is the correct form.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it is a standard polite command. However, adding 'παρακαλώ' (please) is always better.
Yes, 'Ανοίξτε την πόρτα του αυτοκινήτου' is perfectly correct.
'Άνοιξε' is for one friend/child. 'Ανοίξτε' is for many people or one person you respect.
You say 'Ανοίξτε την πόρτα της καρδιάς σας'.
Because 'πόρτα' starts with 'π', and the 'ν' is retained for phonetic reasons.
Yes, 'Ανοίξτε το μπουκάλι' (Open the bottle) is correct.
In very informal settings, people just say 'Άνοιξε!'
You say 'Η πόρτα έχει κολλήσει'.
'Κλείστε την πόρτα' (Close the door).
Yes, 'Ανοίξτε το πρόγραμμα' is common.
No, it's from Latin. The ancient word was 'θύρα'.
Ανοίξτε μου την πόρτα.
In small villages, yes, it is still a sign of hospitality.
Ανοίξτε την πόρτα σιγά-σιγά.
Expressions liées
Κλείστε την πόρτα
contrastClose the door
Ανοίξτε το παράθυρο
similarOpen the window
Η πόρτα είναι ανοιχτή
builds onThe door is open
Χτυπάω την πόρτα
similarI knock on the door
Ανοίξτε τα μάτια σας
specialized formOpen your eyes
