Meaning
Used to indicate that a place is open for business.
Cultural Background
Many shops in France close on Sundays and Mondays. Always check if 'c'est ouvert' before traveling to a small town. In Quebec, business hours are often longer than in France, similar to North American standards, but the phrase remains identical. A sign saying 'Ouvert' is often accompanied by 'Entrez' (Come in) or 'Bienvenue' (Welcome).
Look for the sign
Most French shops have a small reversible sign in the window. If it's green or says 'Ouvert', you're good!
The 'Je suis ouvert' trap
Never say 'Je suis ouvert' to mean you are free for a meeting. Say 'Je suis libre'.
Meaning
Used to indicate that a place is open for business.
Look for the sign
Most French shops have a small reversible sign in the window. If it's green or says 'Ouvert', you're good!
The 'Je suis ouvert' trap
Never say 'Je suis ouvert' to mean you are free for a meeting. Say 'Je suis libre'.
Test Yourself
How do you ask if a shop is open?
Excusez-moi, ___ ?
'C'est ouvert' is the standard impersonal form.
Complete the sentence with the correct form.
La porte n'est pas fermée, ___ ouvert.
'C'est' is used for general observations.
Match the response to the situation.
Someone knocks on your unlocked door.
This tells the person they can enter.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Le café est fermé ? B: Non, ___.
The opposite of 'fermé' is 'ouvert'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use 'C'est ouvert'
Places
- • Magasin
- • Musée
- • Parc
Objects
- • Porte
- • Fenêtre
- • Boîte
Practice Bank
4 exercisesExcusez-moi, ___ ?
'C'est ouvert' is the standard impersonal form.
La porte n'est pas fermée, ___ ouvert.
'C'est' is used for general observations.
Someone knocks on your unlocked door.
This tells the person they can enter.
A: Le café est fermé ? B: Non, ___.
The opposite of 'fermé' is 'ouvert'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsNo, it is only for places or objects. For a person's mind, use 'Il a l'esprit ouvert'.
Both are correct. 'C'est ouvert' is more general ('It's open'), while 'Il est ouvert' refers to a specific masculine noun like 'le magasin'.
Say 'Est-ce que c'est déjà ouvert ?'.
The opposite is 'C'est fermé'.
No, the 't' is silent in the masculine form 'ouvert'. It is pronounced in the feminine 'ouverte'.
Usually, we say 'Le site est en ligne' or 'Le site fonctionne', but 'C'est ouvert aux inscriptions' (It's open for registrations) works.
Related Phrases
C'est fermé
contrastIt is closed.
Ouverture
builds onThe opening / The start.
Horaires d'ouverture
specialized formOpening hours.
