How to Say "open" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “open” is “abre” — use this when giving a command to one person informally (the 'tú' form)..
abre
/AH-breh//ˈa.bɾe/
Examples
¡Abre la caja! Quiero ver qué hay dentro.
Open the box! I want to see what's inside.
Por favor, abre el libro en la página veinte.
Please, open the book to page twenty.
Abre bien los ojos y mira.
Open your eyes wide and look.
Giving Friendly Commands
'Abre' is how you tell one person you know well (someone you call 'tú') to open something. It's a direct, simple command. For example: 'Abre la puerta, por favor' (Open the door, please).
Polite vs. Friendly Commands
Mistake: “Using 'abre' with a stranger or someone older you want to show respect to.”
Correction: For formal situations (usted), use 'abra'. So, to your boss, you'd say 'Abra el documento' not 'Abre el documento'.
abierto
ah-BYEHR-toh/aˈbjeɾto/
Examples
El banco está abierto de 9 a 5.
The bank is open from 9 to 5.
Por favor, deja la ventana abierta, hace calor.
Please, leave the window open, it's hot.
Encontré el libro abierto sobre la mesa.
I found the book open on the table.
Adjective Agreement
Like many Spanish describing words, 'abierto' must match the item it describes. If the door is feminine, it is 'abierta'. If the books are masculine plural, they are 'abiertos'.
Temporary State (Estar)
You almost always use 'abierto' with the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) because being open is usually a temporary state that can change (the door can be closed later).
Using 'Ser'
Mistake: “La tienda es abierta.”
Correction: La tienda está abierta. (Using 'estar' shows the current state, while 'ser' would imply being open is a permanent, defining characteristic, which is usually not the case.)
abran
AH-brahn/ˈaβɾan/
Examples
Por favor, abran la puerta para que entre aire fresco.
Please, open the door so fresh air can come in.
Necesito que ustedes abran el paquete ahora mismo.
I need you (plural, formal) to open the package right now.
Ojalá que los bancos no abran tarde mañana.
Hopefully, the banks don't open late tomorrow.
Two Main Uses of 'Abran'
'Abran' is used either as a command for a group of people (ustedes) or to talk about what 'they' (ellos/ellas) or 'you' (ustedes) do when expressing wishes, doubts, or requests (the special form known as the Present Subjunctive).
Formal Group Command
When giving a direct order to a group of people you address formally, you use 'Abran' (e.g., 'Abran las ventanas' — Open the windows).
Confusing Command Forms
Mistake: “Using 'abren' for a command (e.g., 'Abren el libro').”
Correction: For a command to a group, you must use the special command form 'abran' (e.g., 'Abran el libro'). 'Abren' is only used to state a fact: 'They open the book.'
abra
/AH-brah//ˈa.βɾa/
Examples
Por favor, abra la caja fuerte con cuidado.
Please, open the safe carefully (formal command).
Ella insiste en que yo abra la puerta.
She insists that I open the door (subjunctive).
Espero que el banco abra a las nueve.
I hope the bank opens at nine.
Subjunctive Use
Use 'abra' when expressing wishes, doubts, or desires involving someone else: 'Quiero que él abra el regalo' (I want him to open the present).
Formal Command
The formal command ('usted' form) is the same as the present subjunctive form. If you are asking an adult politely to open something, say '¡Abra!'
Confusing Commands
Mistake: “Using 'abre' for a formal command (Usted).”
Correction: Use '¡Abra la puerta!' for formal commands. 'Abre' is only for informal friends/family (tú).
declarado
/deh-klah-RAH-doh//deklaˈɾaðo/
Examples
Él es un enemigo declarado de la injusticia.
He is a declared enemy of injustice.
Los bomberos intentan controlar el incendio declarado en el bosque.
The firefighters are trying to control the fire that broke out in the forest.
Ella es una admiradora declarada de tu trabajo.
She is an avowed admirer of your work.
Matching Gender and Number
Since this word is describing something, it must match the noun. Use 'declarado' for a man, 'declarada' for a woman, and add an 's' for plurals.
Verb Commands: Formal vs. Informal
Related Translations
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