B1
verb
#6,000 le plus courant
8 min de lecture
400+w
鍵をあける en 30 secondes
- 鍵をあける means to unlock with a key.
- It's the opposite of locking (鍵をかける).
- Used for doors, chests, etc.
- Common in daily life and stories.
- Core Meaning
- The verb phrase 鍵をあける (kagi o akeru) directly translates to 'to open a key' or more naturally in English, 'to unlock'. It specifically refers to the action of using a key to open a lock, typically on a door, but it can extend to other types of locks like those on cabinets, chests, or even cars, though for cars, specific terms might be more common.
- Everyday Scenarios
- You'll hear and use 鍵をあける in countless everyday situations. Imagine coming home after a long day: you reach for your house keys to unlock the front door. That action is precisely 鍵をあける. Similarly, if you're in an office and need to access a locked filing cabinet, you would use a key to 鍵をあける it. It's a fundamental action related to security and access. Think about a landlord giving a new tenant the keys to their apartment – the tenant will then 鍵をあける the door for the first time. In a more playful context, like a treasure hunt or a mystery game, the phrase might be used to describe unlocking a hidden compartment or a chest containing a prize. It's also common when discussing security systems or the process of securing property. For instance, when leaving a building, you might say 'I'll 鍵をあける the door behind me' to indicate you'll lock it, although '鍵をかける' (kagi o kakeru) is more precise for locking. However, the act of opening a locked item is consistently 鍵をあける.
- Nuance and Context
- While 鍵をあける is the standard way to say 'to unlock', the specific context can sometimes imply a slightly different nuance. For example, if someone has lost their key, they might need to call a locksmith to 鍵をあける their door, highlighting the necessity of the action. In stories or movies, the dramatic act of 鍵をあける a forbidden door or a secret passage can build suspense. It's important to note that while 鍵をあける is about opening, the opposite action of securing or locking is 鍵をかける (kagi o kakeru). Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate communication. The word '鍵' (kagi) itself means 'key', and 'あける' (akeru) means 'to open'. Together, they form a clear and direct expression for the act of unlocking.
When you get home, you need to 鍵をあける the front door.
Please 鍵をあける the door so I can come in.
- Basic Structure
- The most common structure for 鍵をあける is Subject + Object (鍵) + Particle (を) + Verb (あける). However, in many conversational contexts, the subject is implied and the particle 'を' might even be omitted if the context is extremely clear. The verb 'あける' conjugates like a regular ichidan verb. For example, the polite present tense is あけます (akemasu), the plain present is あける (akeru), the past tense is あけた (aketa), and the negative is あけない (akenai).
- Example Sentences with Conjugations
- Here are examples showing different conjugations and sentence structures:
Present Polite:
家に着いたら、まずドアの鍵をあけます。
(Ie ni tsuitara, mazu doa no kagi o akemasu.)
Translation: When I arrive home, I first unlock the door.
Present Plain:
早く鍵をあけて、中に入ろう。
(Hayaku kagi o akete, naka ni hairou.)
Translation: Let's unlock the key quickly and go inside.
Past Polite:
昨日、古い宝箱の鍵をあけました。
(Kinou, furui takarabako no kagi o akemashita.)
Translation: Yesterday, I unlocked the old treasure chest.
Past Plain:
彼は部屋の鍵をあけた。
(Kare wa heya no kagi o aketa.)
Translation: He unlocked the room's key.
Negative Polite:
この鍵では、このドアの鍵をあけられません。
(Kono kagi de wa, kono doa no kagi o akaremasen.)
Translation: With this key, you cannot unlock this door.
Negative Plain:
まだ鍵をあけていない。
(Mada kagi o akete inai.)
Translation: I haven't unlocked it yet.
Potential Form:
この鍵で開けられますか？
(Kono kagi de akaremasu ka?)
Translation: Can this key unlock it? (Often implies the ability to unlock)
Imperative (Implied):
鍵、あけて！
(Kagi, akete!)
Translation: Unlock it! (A command)
With other verbs:
鍵をあけるのを忘れないでください。
(Kagi o akeru no o wasurenaide kudasai.)
Translation: Please don't forget to unlock the key.
鍵をあけるのに時間がかかった。
(Kagi o akeru no ni jikan ga kakatta.)
Translation: It took time to unlock the key. - Variations and Omissions
- In casual speech, the 'を' particle might be dropped, especially when talking about a specific, understood lock: 'ドア、あけて' (Doa, akete - Open the door) if it's understood it needs unlocking, or even just '鍵、あけて' (Kagi, akete - Unlock it). However, for clarity, especially when learning, it's best to include '鍵をあける'. The object '鍵' (kagi) itself can sometimes be replaced by a more specific noun like 'ドアの鍵' (doa no kagi - door key) or '部屋の鍵' (heya no kagi - room key) for greater precision.
When you get home, you need to 鍵をあける the front door.
Please 鍵をあけて the door so I can come in.
- Everyday Interactions
- You'll hear 鍵をあける constantly in daily life. When family members are arriving or leaving, they might say things like, 「ただいまー、鍵をあけて入るね。」 (Tadaimaa, kagi o akete hairu ne. - I'm home, I'll unlock the door and come in.) or 「ちょっと待って、鍵をあけるから。」 (Chotto matte, kagi o akeru kara. - Wait a moment, I'll unlock it.). Landlords or building managers might use it when explaining how to access a property: 「この鍵で玄関の鍵をあけてください。」 (Kono kagi de genkan no kagi o akete kudasai. - Please unlock the entrance door with this key.).
- In Media and Stories
- In movies, dramas, and novels, 鍵をあける is often used to build suspense or signify a turning point. A character might be described as 「秘密の部屋の鍵をあける」 (himitsu no heya no kagi o akeru - unlocking the secret room's key) or 「古い箱の鍵を慎重にあけた」 (furui hako no kagi o shinchou ni aketa - carefully unlocked the old box's key). The sound of a key turning in a lock, often accompanied by the phrase, is a common trope.
- Service Industries
- In hotels, receptionists might say, 「お部屋の鍵をおあけします。」 (Oheya no kagi o o-akemasu. - I will unlock your room key for you.) using polite language. Locksmiths, of course, use this phrase frequently: 「鍵をあけられますか？」 (Kagi o akaremasu ka? - Can you unlock it?) or 「鍵をあけるのにいくらかかりますか？」 (Kagi o akeru no ni ikuraka kakarimasu ka? - How much does it cost to unlock it?).
- Instructional Contexts
- When teaching someone how to use a key or a lock, the phrase is fundamental. For example, in a tutorial about home security, you might hear, 「まず、鍵を正しく差し込んで、ゆっくりと鍵をあけてください。」 (Mazu, kagi o tadashiku sashikonde, yukkuri to kagi o akete kudasai. - First, insert the key correctly and slowly unlock it.).
The character had to 鍵をあける the ancient chest.
Can you 鍵をあけて the door for me?
- Confusing with Locking
- The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing 鍵をあける (kagi o akeru - to unlock) with 鍵をかける (kagi o kakeru - to lock). While both involve keys, they are direct opposites. Akeru means 'to open,' and kakeru in this context means 'to apply' or 'to fasten,' effectively locking something. Using 'akeru' when you mean to lock can lead to confusion or even security breaches if misunderstood.
- Incorrect Verb Conjugation
- 'Akeru' is a regular ichidan verb. Mistakes can occur when learners treat it like a godan verb or misapply conjugation rules. For instance, incorrectly forming the past tense as 'aketa' instead of the correct 'aketa' (though in this specific case, they are the same, this is a general point about verb conjugation errors) or using the wrong polite form. Always double-check the conjugation tables for 'akeru' to ensure accuracy in different tenses and politeness levels.
- Omitting Necessary Particles
- While casual speech might sometimes drop the particle 'を' (o), it's crucial for learners to include it for clarity. Omitting 'を' when it's expected can make sentences sound incomplete or grammatically incorrect to native speakers. So, always aim to say '鍵をあける' (kagi o akeru) rather than just '鍵あける' (kagi akeru) in formal or learning contexts.
- Using 'Akeru' for Other Types of Opening
- While 'akeru' is versatile for 'opening' in general (like opening a window - 窓をあける, mado o akeru), when it's specifically about unlocking with a key, sticking to 鍵をあける is best. Using 'akeru' alone for unlocking might be understood from context, but it's less precise and can sound a bit blunt or incomplete.
Mistake: I need to 鍵をかける the door. (Incorrect - this means to lock)
Correct: I need to 鍵をあける the door. (Correct - this means to unlock)
- 鍵をかける (Kagi o kakeru)
- Meaning: To lock (a door or something with a key).
Usage: This is the direct antonym of 鍵をあける. It's used when securing something. For example, 「家を出る前に、必ず鍵をかけてください。」 (Ie o deru mae ni, kanarazu kagi o kakete kudasai. - Before leaving the house, please be sure to lock it.). - 解錠する (Kaijou suru)
- Meaning: To unlock; to disengage (a lock).
Usage: This is a more formal and technical term, often used in official contexts, by locksmiths, or in technical manuals. It's less common in everyday casual conversation than 鍵をあける. For example, 「専門家が鍵を解錠しました。」 (Senmonka ga kagi o kaijou shimashita. - The expert unlocked the key.). - 開ける (Akeru) - General Opening
- Meaning: To open (general).
Usage: This is the base verb. While you can say 「ドアを開ける」 (doa o akeru - to open the door), if the door is locked, 鍵をあける is more specific and appropriate. If the door is already unlocked or doesn't have a lock, then simply 開ける is sufficient. For example, 「窓を開けてください。」 (Mado o akete kudasai. - Please open the window.) uses the general 'akeru'. - 開錠 (Kaijou) - Noun
- Meaning: Unlocking; release of a lock.
Usage: This is the noun form of 解錠する. It's used in contexts like 「開錠作業」 (kaijou sagyou - unlocking work) or 「開錠に成功した」 (kaijou ni seikou shita - succeeded in unlocking). It's also more formal than the verb phrase 鍵をあける.
Comparison: 鍵をあける vs 鍵をかける
Comparison: 鍵をあける vs 解錠する
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
The verb あける (akeru) itself has a long history in Japanese, with its origins tracing back to ancient Japanese. The combination with 鍵 (kagi) to specifically mean 'to unlock' is a natural and direct extension of the verb's meaning.
Guide de prononciation
UK
/kɑːɡi oʊ ˈɑːke̞ɹu/
US
/kɑːɡi oʊ ˈɑːke̞ɹu/
ka-GI o A-ke-ru
Rime avec
sake o nomu
tabe saki
ike yori
kaki no ki
maki no te
saki ni naru
taki no oto
yaki ni iku
Erreurs fréquentes
- Pronouncing 'o' as 'wo'.
- Incorrectly stressing 'keru' in 'akeru'.
- Using an English 'r' sound instead of the Japanese flap 'r'.
Niveau de difficulté
Lecture
3/5
The phrase itself is straightforward. Understanding it in context, especially with different conjugations and particles, requires some practice. Reading longer passages that use this phrase might involve encountering more complex sentence structures or related vocabulary.
Écriture
3/5
Correctly conjugating the verb and using appropriate particles (like 'o') is key. Avoiding confusion with 'kagi o kakeru' is also important for accurate writing.
Expression orale
3/5
Pronunciation needs attention, particularly the 'a' sound in 'akeru' and the flap 'r'. Using it naturally in conversation requires practice with different politeness levels.
Écoute
3/5
Recognizing the phrase in spoken Japanese, especially when spoken quickly or in casual conversation, can be challenging initially. Distinguishing it from similar-sounding phrases is important.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
鍵 (kagi)
あける (akeru)
ドア (doa)
部屋 (heya)
〜を (particle)
Apprends ensuite
鍵をかける (kagi o kakeru)
閉める (semeru)
開ける (akeru) - general
解錠する (kaijou suru)
施錠する (sejō suru)
Avancé
錠前 (jōmae)
鍵穴 (kagi-ana)
防犯 (bouhan - crime prevention)
セキュリティ (sekuriti - security)
Grammaire à connaître
Verb Conjugation (Ichidan Verbs)
The verb あける is an ichidan verb, meaning its '-masu' form ends in '-emasu' and its plain past form is made by changing '-u' to '-ta'. For example: あける (to open) -> あけます (open - polite) -> あけた (opened - plain).
Object Particle 'を' (o)
The particle 'を' marks the direct object of a transitive verb. In 鍵をあける, '鍵' (key) is the direct object being acted upon by the verb 'あける' (to unlock).
〜て Form
The 〜て form is used to connect sequential actions or describe means. For example: 鍵をあけて、入る (Kagi o akete, hairu) - Unlock and enter.
Potential Form
To express ability, the potential form is used. For あける, it is あけられる (akerareru). For example: この鍵であけられますか？ (Kono kagi de akeraremasu ka?) - Can this key unlock it?
〜のに時間がかかる (takes time to do)
鍵をあけるのに時間がかかった (Kagi o akeru no ni jikan ga kakatta) - It took time to unlock.
