abrir
/ah-BREER/
to open
The literal meaning of 'abrir' is 'to open,' like opening a door or a box.
📝 In Action
Por favor, abre la puerta para que entre el perro.
A1Please, open the door so the dog can come in.
Ella siempre abre su libro de texto antes de la clase.
A1She always opens her textbook before class.
💡 Grammar Points
Abierto vs. Abrido
The past participle ('-ado' or '-ido' form) of 'abrir' is irregular: it's 'abierto,' not 'abrido'. This form is used to create compound tenses (He abierto) or as an adjective (La tienda está abierta).
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Use with Tools
Use 'abrir' for turning on faucets or showers ('abrir el grifo/la llave'), which literally means 'opening the flow'.
'Abrir' can also mean 'to start' or 'to initiate,' such as starting a new path or a business.
abrir(Verb)
to start
?a business, a path, an event
,to launch
?a discussion or campaign
to inaugurate
?a new building or facility
📝 In Action
Van a abrir una nueva tienda de café en mi barrio.
B1They are going to open a new coffee shop in my neighborhood.
El presidente abrió el debate con una declaración.
B2The president opened (started) the debate with a declaration.
⭐ Usage Tips
Business Usage
When talking about setting up a bank account or launching a new service, 'abrir' is the standard verb.
When used reflexively, 'abrirse' means 'to open up' emotionally and confide in someone.
abrir(Verb)
to open up
?emotionally, to confide
,to be receptive
?to new ideas
to express oneself
?sharing feelings
📝 In Action
Me costó mucho abrirme con el psicólogo.
B2It was very hard for me to open up (confide) to the psychologist.
Tienes que abrirte a nuevas posibilidades en tu carrera.
C1You have to open yourself up to new possibilities in your career.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive Form ('Abrirse')
When 'abrir' is used to mean 'to confide' or 'to share feelings,' it must be used with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, etc.) and becomes 'abrirse'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'se'
Mistake: "No abrí con mi amigo sobre el problema."
Correction: No me abrí con mi amigo sobre el problema. (Explanation: If you mean 'to confide,' you must use the reflexive form 'me abrí.')
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: abrir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'abrir' in its figurative sense (to start or launch)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'abrir' a regular or irregular verb?
'Abrir' is regular in almost all of its conjugations (it follows the standard pattern for -ir verbs). However, its past participle—the form used in compound tenses or as an adjective—is irregular: 'abierto,' not 'abrido'.
How do I say 'I opened the door' vs. 'I have opened the door'?
'I opened the door' (simple past) is 'Abrí la puerta'. 'I have opened the door' (compound past) uses the irregular participle: 'He abierto la puerta'.