ouvrir/u.vɛʁ/
verb · A2 · Frequency 331
verb
Meanings
to open (a door, window, flower, etc.)
Can be transitive or intransitive, meaning physically opening something or something opening
to begin, to initiate, to turn on (an activity, device, etc.)
Can refer to starting something or turning on a device
to open the door, to answer the door, to answer (a call)
Refers to answering the door or a call
to cut open
Physically cutting open something or a part of the body
to open onto, to lead into, to overlook (used with + sur)
Often used to describe doors or windows facing or leading to a place
to open up to, to be open to, to be exposed to (used with + à)
Figurative use meaning to be open or receptive
to open up to, to confide in (used with + à)
To confide or share one's feelings with someone
to make, to create, to open up (e.g., a path, a field)
Refers to creating or opening up new paths or fields
Examples
J'ai ouvert la fenêtre pour renouveler l'air de la chambre.
I opened the window to air the room.
La mairie a ouvert un nouveau centre d'accueil pour les habitants.
The town hall opened a new reception centre for residents.
J'ai ouvert dès que quelqu'un a sonné à la porte.
I answered the door as soon as someone rang the bell.
Le chirurgien a ouvert l'abcès avec précaution.
The surgeon carefully cut open the abscess.
Grammar note
The verb ouvrir uses both avoir and être as auxiliary verbs in compound tenses; it can be transitive or pronominal. Ouvrir is commonly used with the preposition sur to mean "to open onto" and with à to mean "to be open to" or "to confide in someone."
verb
Meanings
to open (a door, window, flower, etc.)
Can be transitive or intransitive, meaning physically opening something or something opening
to begin, to initiate, to turn on (an activity, device, etc.)
Can refer to starting something or turning on a device
to open the door, to answer the door, to answer (a call)
Refers to answering the door or a call
to cut open
Physically cutting open something or a part of the body
to open onto, to lead into, to overlook (used with + sur)
Often used to describe doors or windows facing or leading to a place
to open up to, to be open to, to be exposed to (used with + à)
Figurative use meaning to be open or receptive
to open up to, to confide in (used with + à)
To confide or share one's feelings with someone
to make, to create, to open up (e.g., a path, a field)
Refers to creating or opening up new paths or fields
Examples
Il faut ouvrir la fenêtre pour aérer la chambre.
The window needs to be opened to air out the room.
La directrice va ouvrir la réunion par un bref discours.
The director is going to begin the meeting with a brief speech.
En entendant la sonnette, le gardien s'est levé pour ouvrir.
Hearing the doorbell, the caretaker got up to answer the door.
Le chirurgien doit ouvrir l'abcès avant de le nettoyer.
The surgeon must cut open the abscess before cleaning it.
Collocations
- ouvrir la porteto open the door
- ouvrir un compteto open an account
- ouvrir à de nouvelles idéesto be open to new ideas
Common mistakes
Nous ouvons la fenêtre.
Nous ouvrons la fenêtre.
The present-tense nous form of ouvrir is irregular: it is ouvrons, not ouvons.
Related words
Grammar note
The verb ouvrir uses both avoir and être as auxiliary verbs in compound tenses; it can be transitive or pronominal. Ouvrir is commonly used with the preposition sur to mean "to open onto" and with à to mean "to be open to" or "to confide in someone."
verb
Meanings
to open (a door, window, flower, etc.)
Can be transitive or intransitive, meaning physically opening something or something opening
to begin, to initiate, to turn on (an activity, device, etc.)
Can refer to starting something or turning on a device
to open the door, to answer the door, to answer (a call)
Refers to answering the door or a call
to cut open
Physically cutting open something or a part of the body
to open onto, to lead into, to overlook (used with + sur)
Often used to describe doors or windows facing or leading to a place
to open up to, to be open to, to be exposed to (used with + à)
Figurative use meaning to be open or receptive
to open up to, to confide in (used with + à)
To confide or share one's feelings with someone
to make, to create, to open up (e.g., a path, a field)
Refers to creating or opening up new paths or fields
Examples
En ouvrant la fenêtre, elle a laissé entrer l'air frais.
By opening the window, she let in the fresh air.
En ouvrant la réunion, la directrice a présenté les objectifs du projet.
When opening the meeting, the director presented the project's objectives.
En ouvrant au facteur, il a découvert un colis devant la porte.
When answering the door for the mail carrier, he found a parcel outside.
En ouvrant la plaie, le chirurgien a retiré un petit fragment de verre.
After cutting open the wound, the surgeon removed a small piece of glass.
Grammar note
The verb ouvrir uses both avoir and être as auxiliary verbs in compound tenses; it can be transitive or pronominal. Ouvrir is commonly used with the preposition sur to mean "to open onto" and with à to mean "to be open to" or "to confide in someone."
verb
Meanings
to open (a door, window, flower, etc.)
Can be transitive or intransitive, meaning physically opening something or something opening
to begin, to initiate, to turn on (an activity, device, etc.)
Can refer to starting something or turning on a device
to open the door, to answer the door, to answer (a call)
Refers to answering the door or a call
to cut open
Physically cutting open something or a part of the body
to open onto, to lead into, to overlook (used with + sur)
Often used to describe doors or windows facing or leading to a place
to open up to, to be open to, to be exposed to (used with + à)
Figurative use meaning to be open or receptive
to open up to, to confide in (used with + à)
To confide or share one's feelings with someone
to make, to create, to open up (e.g., a path, a field)
Refers to creating or opening up new paths or fields
Examples
Paul ouvre la fenêtre parce qu'il fait chaud.
Paul opens the window because it is hot.
La directrice ouvre la réunion à neuf heures.
The director opens the meeting at nine o'clock.
Quand la sonnette retentit, Marie ouvre sans attendre.
When the doorbell rings, Marie opens the door without waiting.
Le chirurgien ouvre la peau avec une grande précision.
The surgeon cuts open the skin with great precision.
Collocations
- ouvrir la porteto open the door
- ouvrir un compteto open an account
- ouvrir à de nouvelles idéesto be open to new ideas
Common mistakes
Nous ouvons la fenêtre.
Nous ouvrons la fenêtre.
The present-tense nous form of ouvrir is irregular: it is ouvrons, not ouvons.
Related words
Grammar note
The verb ouvrir uses both avoir and être as auxiliary verbs in compound tenses; it can be transitive or pronominal. Ouvrir is commonly used with the preposition sur to mean "to open onto" and with à to mean "to be open to" or "to confide in someone."
verb
Meanings
to open (a door, window, flower, etc.)
Can be transitive or intransitive, meaning physically opening something or something opening
to begin, to initiate, to turn on (an activity, device, etc.)
Can refer to starting something or turning on a device
to open the door, to answer the door, to answer (a call)
Refers to answering the door or a call
to cut open
Physically cutting open something or a part of the body
to open onto, to lead into, to overlook (used with + sur)
Often used to describe doors or windows facing or leading to a place
to open up to, to be open to, to be exposed to (used with + à)
Figurative use meaning to be open or receptive
to open up to, to confide in (used with + à)
To confide or share one's feelings with someone
to make, to create, to open up (e.g., a path, a field)
Refers to creating or opening up new paths or fields
Examples
Tu ouvres la fenêtre pour aérer la chambre.
You open the window to air the room.
Tu ouvres la réunion par une courte présentation.
You begin the meeting with a short presentation.
Quand quelqu'un sonne, tu ouvres immédiatement.
When someone rings, you answer the door immediately.
Tu ouvres la plaie pour en retirer le petit caillou.
You open the wound to remove the small stone.
Grammar note
The verb ouvrir uses both avoir and être as auxiliary verbs in compound tenses; it can be transitive or pronominal. Ouvrir is commonly used with the preposition sur to mean "to open onto" and with à to mean "to be open to" or "to confide in someone."