abierta en 30 secondes
- Abierta is the feminine form of 'open' in Spanish, used for nouns like door (puerta) or window (ventana).
- It can describe a physical state (open door), a personality (extroverted), or a business status (operating).
- Grammatically, it requires the verb 'estar' for temporary states and 'ser' for permanent character traits.
- Commonly found in phrases like 'mente abierta' (open mind) and 'puerta abierta' (open door).
The word abierta is the feminine singular form of the adjective 'abierto'. At its most fundamental level, it describes something that is not closed, blocked, or obstructed. In Spanish, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Therefore, you use abierta when referring to feminine nouns like la puerta (the door), la ventana (the window), or la mente (the mind). This word is incredibly versatile, moving from physical descriptions to abstract psychological traits and even commercial statuses.
- Physical State
- Refers to objects like doors, windows, or containers that are not shut. For example, 'La caja está abierta' (The box is open).
- Personality Trait
- Describes someone who is communicative, extroverted, or willing to listen to new ideas. 'Ella es una persona muy abierta'.
- Commercial Availability
- Indicates that a business or institution is currently operating. 'La farmacia está abierta las 24 horas'.
"Dejé la ventana abierta para que entrara el aire fresco de la mañana."
Beyond the physical, abierta carries a heavy weight in social contexts. To have an 'open mind' (mente abierta) is a highly valued trait in modern Spanish-speaking cultures, signifying tolerance and intellectual curiosity. It can also refer to wounds (herida abierta) or even mathematical intervals. Understanding the breadth of this word is key to moving from basic A1 Spanish to a more nuanced B1 or B2 level where metaphors become common.
"Es una pregunta abierta, puedes responder lo que quieras."
In a commercial sense, seeing a sign that says 'Abierta' on a shop door is one of the first things a traveler learns. It is the opposite of 'Cerrada'. In more formal Spanish, it can also refer to a 'convocatoria abierta' (open call) for jobs or grants. The word evolves as you progress: in A1 it's a door; in C1 it's a 'discusión abierta' (unresolved discussion) or 'campo abierto' (open field). The phonetic structure is simple: a-bi-er-ta, with the stress on the penultimate syllable 'er'.
"La sesión sigue abierta para nuevos participantes."
- Abstract Usage
- Used in phrases like 'guerra abierta' (open war) or 'herida abierta' (open wound).
- Phonetics
- Four syllables: a-bier-ta. The 'ie' is a diphthong.
"Mantuvo la boca abierta por la sorpresa."
Using abierta correctly requires attention to two main factors: gender agreement and the choice between the verbs ser and estar. Since abierta is the feminine form, it must always accompany feminine nouns. If you are talking about a book (el libro), you must use the masculine abierto. If you are talking about a door (la puerta), you use abierta.
- With 'Estar' (States)
- Use 'estar' for physical states that can change. 'La ventana está abierta' (The window is currently open).
- With 'Ser' (Characteristics)
- Use 'ser' for inherent traits. 'Ella es una persona abierta' (She is an open/extroverted person by nature).
"La tienda ya está abierta al público."
When describing people, abierta is a compliment. It suggests the person is approachable. However, be careful with the context. If you say 'La puerta está abierta', it's a literal fact. If you say 'La situación está abierta', it means the outcome is not yet decided. This 'openness' can apply to many scenarios: an open wound (herida abierta), an open hand (mano abierta), or an open grave (tumba abierta - often used in the idiom 'a tumba abierta' meaning recklessly).
In academic or professional settings, you will encounter 'preguntas abiertas' (open-ended questions). These are questions that require more than a yes or no answer. In contrast, 'preguntas cerradas' are multiple-choice or binary. Using this term correctly in a meeting shows a high level of linguistic competence. Another common professional use is 'convocatoria abierta', which refers to a job opening or a call for proposals that is currently accepting applications.
"Prefiero las preguntas abiertas en los exámenes."
- Common Nouns
- Puerta, ventana, tienda, boca, mano, mente, herida, pregunta, cuenta.
- Positioning
- Usually follows the noun (e.g., 'una mente abierta'), but can come after a verb (e.g., 'la puerta está abierta').
"Tiene una herida abierta en la pierna."
You will hear abierta everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world, from the bustling streets of Madrid to the quiet cafes of Buenos Aires. It is a foundational word. In a shopping mall, you'll hear people asking, '¿Está abierta la tienda de ropa?' (Is the clothing store open?). In a doctor's office, a nurse might say, 'Diga "ah" y mantenga la boca abierta' (Say "ah" and keep your mouth open).
"La frontera permanecerá abierta durante el fin de semana."
On the news, you might hear about an 'investigación abierta' (ongoing investigation). This implies that the police or journalists are still looking for clues and the case is not closed. In the world of technology, 'código abierto' refers to open-source software, though 'abierto' (masculine) is used there because 'código' is masculine. However, you might hear 'una plataforma abierta' (an open platform).
- At the Airport
- 'La puerta de embarque está abierta' (The boarding gate is open).
- In Social Media
- 'Tengo la cuenta abierta' (I have my account open/logged in) or 'una cuenta abierta' (a public profile).
In literature and film, 'final abierto' (open ending) is common, but if referring to 'una trama' (a plot), one might say 'la trama quedó abierta'. Musicians use it too: 'una cuerda abierta' refers to an open string on a guitar or violin. The word is also prevalent in weather reports, such as 'en zona abierta' (in an open area) where winds might be stronger.
"Es una competición abierta a todos los niveles."
Finally, in the kitchen, you'll hear it regarding containers: '¿Está abierta la leche?' (Is the milk open?). In Spanish culture, 'puertas abiertas' (open doors) often refers to an event where an institution allows the public to visit for free, like 'jornada de puertas abiertas'. This is a very common phrase in schools and museums.
"La inscripción para el curso sigue abierta."
- In Nature
- 'Mar abierta' (Open sea) or 'una herida abierta' (an open wound in a tree or animal).
- In Sports
- 'Una defensa abierta' (An open/vulnerable defense).
The most frequent mistake learners make with abierta is failing to match the gender. Because English uses 'open' for everything, students often say 'el libro está abierta' instead of 'el libro está abierto'. Remember: O for masculine, A for feminine. Another common error is using ser when estar is required, or vice versa.
Incorrect: "La puerta es abierta."
Correct: "La puerta está abierta."
Why is this wrong? Because a door being open is a temporary state (it can be closed), so we use estar. However, if you say 'Ella es abierta', you are describing her personality (a permanent trait), so ser is correct. Confusing these two can change your meaning from 'She is currently being receptive' to 'She is an extrovert'.
- The 'Apertura' Confusion
- Learners sometimes try to use 'abierta' as a noun. 'The open of the store' is not 'La abierta de la tienda', but 'La apertura de la tienda'.
- False Friends
- Don't confuse 'abierta' with 'abrida'. While 'abrir' is the verb, the past participle/adjective is irregular: 'abierto/a', not 'abrido'.
Another mistake is the placement of the adjective. While 'una abierta mente' might be understood, the standard Spanish structure is 'una mente abierta'. Adjectives in Spanish usually follow the noun unless you are trying to be poetic or emphasizing a specific quality. Also, watch out for pluralization. If you have two doors, they are 'abiertas', not 'abierta'.
Incorrect: "Las ventanas están abierta."
Correct: "Las ventanas están abiertas."
- Overusing 'Abierta'
- Sometimes 'pública' or 'disponible' is better. For example, 'una plaza abierta' could mean a vacant job, but 'una plaza disponible' is more precise.
To truly master abierta, you should know its synonyms and related terms. Depending on the context, 'abierta' might be replaced by words that offer more precision. For example, if a door is just slightly open, you wouldn't say it's 'abierta', but 'entreabierta' (ajar).
- Entreabierta
- Half-open or ajar. Perfect for describing a door that isn't fully shut but isn't wide open either.
- Sincera / Franca
- When 'abierta' refers to personality, 'sincera' (sincere) or 'franca' (frank) are excellent alternatives.
- Disponible
- When 'abierta' refers to a position or a schedule, 'disponible' (available) is often used.
"La puerta estaba entreabierta, así que pude escuchar la conversación."
In terms of opposites, the most direct antonym is cerrada (closed). Just like 'abierta', 'cerrada' must agree in gender and number. A person can be 'cerrada' (introverted/stubborn), and a door can be 'cerrada'. Other opposites include 'clausurada' (shut down/sealed) or 'obstruida' (blocked).
In a technical sense, 'pública' is a synonym for 'abierta' when talking about information or access. 'Una sesión abierta' is 'una sesión pública'. In the context of nature, 'vasta' or 'amplia' can replace 'abierta' to describe a large, open space like a plain (llanura). Knowing these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation app.
"Es una persona muy comunicativa y abierta."
- Extrovertida
- A more specific term for an 'open' personality.
- Inaugurada
- Used for the first time a place is 'opened' (e.g., an exhibition).
How Formal Is It?
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Adjective-Noun Agreement
Ser vs Estar
Irregular Past Participles
Diphthongs in Spanish
Placement of Adjectives
Exemples par niveau
La puerta está abierta.
The door is open.
Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.
La ventana está abierta.
The window is open.
Feminine agreement with 'la ventana'.
La tienda está abierta hoy.
The store is open today.
Adverb 'hoy' modifies the timing.
Tengo una caja abierta.
I have an open box.
Indefinite article 'una' matches 'abierta'.
La farmacia no está abierta.
The pharmacy is not open.
Negative 'no' before the verb.
¿Está abierta la escuela?
Is the school open?
Question structure in Spanish.
La maleta está abierta.
The suitcase is open.
Physical state of an object.
La botella está abierta.
The bottle is open.
Feminine singular noun.
Ella es una persona muy abierta.
She is a very open person.
Uses 'ser' for personality traits.
La biblioteca está abierta por la mañana.
The library is open in the morning.
Prepositional phrase 'por la mañana'.
Mantén la boca abierta, por favor.
Keep your mouth open, please.
Imperative 'mantén' with the noun 'boca'.
Es una pregunta abierta.
It is an open question.
Adjective follows the noun.
Las tiendas están abiertas ahora.
The stores are open now.
Plural agreement 'abiertas'.
La oficina está abierta de lunes a viernes.
The office is open from Monday to Friday.
Time range expression.
Mi mano está abierta.
My hand is open.
Possessive 'mi' does not change with gender.
La sesión está abierta.
The session is open.
Abstract but common usage.
Es importante tener una mente abierta.
It is important to have an open mind.
Abstract noun 'mente'.
La herida todavía está abierta.
The wound is still open.
Medical/physical state.
Dejamos la cuenta abierta en el bar.
We left the tab open at the bar.
Idiomatic use for 'tab'.
Hay una convocatoria abierta para el puesto.
There is an open call for the position.
Professional terminology.
La inscripción sigue abierta hasta mañana.
Registration remains open until tomorrow.
Verb 'seguir' used for continuing states.
Es una discusión abierta en la comunidad.
It is an open discussion in the community.
Abstract concept of 'unresolved'.
La televisión abierta es gratuita.
Broadcast TV is free.
Specific term for non-cable TV.
Vimos una película con una trama abierta.
We saw a movie with an open plot.
Narrative terminology.
La investigación sigue abierta por falta de pruebas.
The investigation remains open due to lack of evidence.
Legal/Journalistic context.
Corrieron a tumba abierta por la colina.
They ran recklessly down the hill.
Idiom 'a tumba abierta'.
Es una zona de mar abierta.
It is an area of open sea.
Geographical term.
La herida política sigue abierta en el país.
The political wound remains open in the country.
Metaphorical usage.
Mantiene una guerra abierta con su socio.
He maintains an open war with his partner.
Metaphor for conflict.
La plataforma es de arquitectura abierta.
The platform has an open architecture.
Technical/Software context.
Es una herida abierta que no cicatriza.
It's an open wound that doesn't heal.
Descriptive adjective.
La sesión plenaria será abierta al público.
The plenary session will be open to the public.
Formal/Political context.
La propuesta dejó la puerta abierta a futuras negociaciones.
The proposal left the door open to future negotiations.
Metaphorical 'door open'.
Se trata de una herida abierta en la memoria colectiva.
It is an open wound in the collective memory.
Sociological/Sophisticated metaphor.
La configuración de la red es totalmente abierta.
The network configuration is totally open.
Technical precision.
Es una obra de estructura abierta y experimental.
It is a work of open and experimental structure.
Artistic/Literary criticism.
La economía abierta fomenta el comercio exterior.
An open economy encourages foreign trade.
Economic terminology.
Su actitud abierta facilitó el consenso.
Her open attitude facilitated the consensus.
Nuanced personality description.
La herida, aún abierta, supuraba ligeramente.
The wound, still open, was oozing slightly.
Advanced descriptive vocabulary.
El debate permanece en una fase abierta.
The debate remains in an open phase.
Formal process description.
La dialéctica abierta del autor confunde al lector.
The author's open dialectic confuses the reader.
Philosophical/Literary context.
Navegaban a mar abierta, desafiando la tempestad.
They were sailing in the open sea, defying the storm.
Literary/Epic tone.
La herida abierta por el conflicto tardará décadas en cerrar.
The wound opened by the conflict will take decades to close.
Historical/Metaphorical depth.
Es una cláusula abierta sujeta a interpretación jurídica.
It is an open clause subject to legal interpretation.
Legal jargon.
La sesión se mantuvo abierta sine die.
The session was kept open indefinitely.
Latinism 'sine die' with 'abierta'.
Su prosa es una invitación abierta a la reflexión.
His prose is an open invitation to reflection.
Abstract poetic usage.
La herida abierta en el casco del barco era fatal.
The open gash in the ship's hull was fatal.
Specific technical context.
La convocatoria, de carácter abierta, atrajo a miles.
The call, of an open nature, attracted thousands.
Formal appositive phrase.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
Used for questions, investigations, wounds.
Used for doors, windows, boxes.
Used for extroverted or tolerant people.
- Using 'abierta' with masculine nouns (e.g., el libro abierta).
- Using 'ser' for a physical state (e.g., la puerta es abierta).
- Saying 'abrida' instead of 'abierta'.
- Forgetting the 's' in plural (e.g., las puertas están abierta).
- Confusing 'abierta' (adjective) with 'abrir' (verb).
Astuces
Gender Match
Always check the noun. If it ends in -a (usually), use 'abierta'.
Half-Open
Use 'entreabierta' for a door that is just a little bit open.
Soft B
The 'b' in 'abierta' is very soft, almost like a 'v' in English.
Shops
Look for 'Abierto' or 'Abierta' signs in windows when traveling.
Adjective Position
Place 'abierta' after the noun: 'puerta abierta'.
State vs Trait
Use 'estar' for doors, 'ser' for personality.
Avoid 'Abrida'
Never say 'abrida'. It is a common mistake for beginners.
Brazos Abiertos
Use 'con los brazos abiertos' to say you welcome someone warmly.
Open Call
Use 'convocatoria abierta' for job postings.
Open Questions
Use 'preguntas abiertas' to encourage discussion.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine a girl named 'Alberta' who is very 'Abierta' (open) and always leaves her door 'Abierta'.
Origine du mot
Latin
Contexte culturel
Free-to-air TV is always called 'televisión abierta'.
Being 'abierta' means you are approachable and social.
Business hours are often 'abierta' in the morning, closed for siesta, and 'abierta' again in the evening.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"¿A qué hora está abierta la cafetería?"
"¿Te consideras una persona abierta?"
"¿Crees que es mejor tener una mente abierta?"
"¿Está abierta la ventana de tu habitación?"
"¿Hay alguna exposición abierta hoy?"
Sujets d'écriture
Describe a time you kept your mind abierta to a new idea.
Write about a shop that is always abierta when you need it.
How does it feel when a door is left abierta in your house?
Is it better to be a persona abierta or a persona reservada?
Describe an open wound (herida abierta) in history.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, 'libro' is masculine, so you must use 'abierto'.
No, it is an adjective or the past participle of 'abrir'. The verb is 'abrir'.
The most common opposite is 'cerrada'.
Yes, it becomes 'abiertas' for feminine plural nouns.
You say 'mente abierta'.
Yes, 'una persona abierta' often means someone extroverted or communicative.
The past participle of 'abrir' is 'abierto/a', which is irregular (not 'abrido').
It is 'código abierto' (masculine because of 'código').
Usually no. Use 'está abierta' for the state of being open for business.
It is an idiom meaning to do something recklessly or at full speed.
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Summary
The word 'abierta' is a fundamental Spanish adjective that goes beyond physical states. While it literally means 'open' for feminine nouns, its use in describing personality, commercial availability, and abstract concepts like 'open questions' makes it essential for daily communication.
- Abierta is the feminine form of 'open' in Spanish, used for nouns like door (puerta) or window (ventana).
- It can describe a physical state (open door), a personality (extroverted), or a business status (operating).
- Grammatically, it requires the verb 'estar' for temporary states and 'ser' for permanent character traits.
- Commonly found in phrases like 'mente abierta' (open mind) and 'puerta abierta' (open door).
Gender Match
Always check the noun. If it ends in -a (usually), use 'abierta'.
Half-Open
Use 'entreabierta' for a door that is just a little bit open.
Soft B
The 'b' in 'abierta' is very soft, almost like a 'v' in English.
Shops
Look for 'Abierto' or 'Abierta' signs in windows when traveling.
Exemple
La puerta de la tienda ya está abierta.
Contenu associé
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur general
a causa de
A2Cela signifie 'à cause de'. On l'utilise pour donner une raison, suivie d'un nom.
a condición de que
B2On condition that, provided that, or given that.
a dónde
A1Vers quel endroit ou quelle destination ?
a lo mejor
A2Peut-être; il se peut que. 'A lo mejor' est très courant à l'oral.
a menos que
B1À moins que. Je n'irai pas à moins qu'il ne vienne. (I won't go unless he comes.)
a no ser que
B2Cela signifie 'à moins que'. C'est une conjonction qui introduit une exception.
a pesar de
B1Malgré; en dépit de. 'Il est venu malgré la pluie.' (He came despite the rain.)
a_pesar_de
B2Malgré la pluie, nous sommes sortis.
a propósito
B21. D'ailleurs / À propos : utilisé pour changer de sujet. 2. Exprès : fait avec intention. 'À propos, as-tu vu mon livre ?' et 'Il l'a fait exprès.'
a raíz de
B2À la suite de; en raison de.
