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abrir means to open — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 30, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

abrir

verb • /[ah-BREER]/

to open

Example:

Por favor, abre la ventana un poco.

Please open the window a bit.

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🧠 What does abrir mean?

Abrir is a common Spanish verb meaning 'to open.' It's used for opening physical things like doors, windows, boxes, and letters, as well as more abstract concepts like opening a bank account or opening up to someone emotionally. Mastering this verb is essential for everyday communication in Spanish.

📚 Extra examples

  • Voy a abrir la ventana.
    I'm going to open the window.
  • Abre la puerta, por favor.
    Open the door, please.
  • Ella abrió la carta con cuidado.
    She opened the letter carefully.
  • Abrimos una nueva cuenta bancaria.
    We opened a new bank account.
  • Él se abrió con ella sobre sus problemas.
    He opened up to her about his problems.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to open' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'to open' is 'abrir.'
How do you pronounce 'abrir' in Spanish?
It's pronounced 'ah-BREER,' with the stress on the second syllable.
How do you use 'abrir' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'Voy a abrir la puerta' (I'm going to open the door), 'Ella abrió el libro' (She opened the book), '¿Puedes abrir la ventana?' (Can you open the window?).
What is the English translation of 'abrir'?
The English translation of 'abrir' is 'to open.'
Does 'abrir' change for gender or number?
No, 'abrir' itself doesn't change for gender or number. However, it conjugates differently depending on the subject and tense, just like any other verb.
Is 'abrir' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'abrir' is a very common verb used in everyday Spanish conversations.
Does 'abrir' have slang or double meanings?
While 'abrir' is primarily used to mean 'to open' literally, it can also be used figuratively, like 'abrir el corazón' (to open one's heart) or 'abrir camino' (to pave the way). These aren't exactly slang, but more like idiomatic expressions.
Is 'abrir' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'abrir' are generally the same across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'abrir' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense: Yo abro, Tú abres, Él/Ella/Usted abre, Nosotros/as abrimos, Vosotros/as abrís, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes abren. For other tenses, you can consult a Spanish verb conjugation chart or resource.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "abrir"

Synonyms: destapar, descorchar
Opposites: cerrar

💡 Did You Know?

The Spanish word 'abracadabra,' often used in magic, might come from the Aramaic phrase 'avra kehdabra,' meaning 'I will create as I speak.' While not directly related to 'abrir,' the similarity is intriguing!

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