What does ouvrir in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word ouvrir in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use ouvrir in French.

The word ouvrir in French means open, open, open, turn on, switch on, put on, open, open, open, open, open it, answer it, let in, open, open, cut your open, open onto, discover, open up to about, open up, make, create, initiate, start, open, open, make, create, open onto, not open your mouth, open halfway, open up new horizons, open new perspectives, open up new perspectives, open a few doors, stare in amazement, open your arms, welcome with open arms, listen very carefully, whet your appetite, open 's mind, broaden 's mind, stretch 's mind, keep an eye open, keep one eye open, open Pandora's box, walk in front, lead the march, digress, open the meeting, pave the way, pave the way for , prepare the ground for, open the ball, get the ball rolling, open your mouth, open fire, turn on the tap, open the door to, open the score, open the scoring, start the fight, start fighting, open the shades, open the blinds, wake up to, open 's eyes to, open its doors, open its doors to the public, open its doors for the first time, pour your heart out, pour your heart out to, open an account, cause a breach in, cause a breach in, launch an investigation, launch an inquiry, digress, be open to other cultures, embrace other cultures. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word ouvrir

open

verbe transitif (déplacer une fermeture, écarter, déplier)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Il fait chaud : ouvre un peu la fenêtre. Ouvre les yeux !

It's hot: open the window a little. Open your eyes!

open

verbe transitif (défaire ce qui était attaché)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Gérard a ouvert le colis qu'il venait de recevoir.

Gerard opened the package he had just received.

open

verbe transitif (déboucher)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Peux-tu ouvrir une bouteille de rouge pour accompagner le bœuf bourguignon, s'il te plaît ?

Can you open a bottle of red to accompany the beef bourguignon, please?

turn on, switch on, put on

verbe transitif (mettre en fonctionnement : l'eau, le gaz,...)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")

Si tu comptes cuisiner, il vaudrait mieux que tu ouvres le gaz.

If you intend to cook, you will have to turn on the gas.

open

verbe transitif (mettre en fonctionnement : un magasin)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Le boulanger a ouvert son magasin un peu en retard aujourd'hui.

The baker opened his store a bit late today.

open

verbe transitif (inaugurer, mettre en service)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Après des années de négociations, la ville a ouvert une nouvelle école.

After years of talks, the town opened a new school.

open

verbe intransitif (être accessible au public)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Le magasin ouvre à 9 heures.

The store opens at 9 o'clock.

open

verbe intransitif (fonctionner pour la 1ère fois)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Un nouveau magasin de chaussures devrait bientôt ouvrir dans le centre commercial.

A new shoe shop is supposed to be opening soon in the mall.

open it, answer it

verbe intransitif (ouvrir la porte) (door)

On sonne à la porte. Je vais ouvrir.

Somebody's at the door; I'll get it.

let in

(laisser entrer)

Sophie, ouvre-moi, je voudrais te parler ! Allez, arrête tes bêtises et va ouvrir à Patrick ; il doit avoir froid dehors.

Open up, Sophie; I want to talk to you!

open

verbe pronominal (présenter une ouverture)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

La porte s'est ouverte toute seule.

The door opened by itself.

open

verbe pronominal (fleur : s'épanouir) (flower)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Il ne fait pas assez chaud pour que les fleurs s'ouvrent.

The weather isn't warm enough for the flowers to open.

cut your open

verbe pronominal (se couper profondément)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Le gardien de but a plongé pour rattraper le ballon, s'est cogné contre le poteau et s'est ouvert l'arcade sourcilière.

The goalkeeper dived to catch the ball, banged himself on the goalpost and cut his eyebrow open.

open onto

(donner sur)

Cette porte s'ouvre sur le jardin.

This door opens onto the garden.

discover

(accepter de découvrir [qch])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Sa fille s'est ouverte à la musique sur le piano familial.

The girl got a feel for music playing her family's piano.

open up to about

(se confier à [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Le jeune homme allait mal et s'en est ouvert à son oncle.

The young man wasn't feeling so good, and he opened up to his uncle about it.

open up

(se rendre accessible à [qqn]) (figurative)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Les ados ont du mal à s'ouvrir à leurs parents.

Teens find it hard to open up to their parents.

make, create

verbe transitif (créer)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Les légionnaires ont ouvert une piste dans la forêt.

The legionnaires created a path in the forest.

initiate, start, open

verbe transitif (commencer, débuter)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

À peine arrivé, il a ouvert les hostilités.

He initiated hostilities almost as soon as he arrived.

open, make, create

verbe transitif (agrandir, créer)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Les assaillants ont ouvert une brêche dans le rempart.

The attackers opened a breach in the defenses.

open onto

verbe transitif indirect (donner sur) (door)

La porte ouvre sur la rue.

The door opens onto the street.

not open your mouth

locution verbale (figuré (ne pas parler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Sophie n'allait visiblement pas bien car elle n'a pas ouvert la bouche de toute la soirée, même quand on a parlé de choses qui l'intéressaient d'habitude.

open halfway

locution verbale (ouvrir à moitié)

Méfiant, il ouvrit à demi sa porte au facteur.

open up new horizons, open new perspectives

locution verbale (élargir le champ des connaissances)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

open up new perspectives

locution verbale (projeter dans l'avenir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

open a few doors

locution verbale (figuré (donner accès à [qch])

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

stare in amazement

locution verbale (familier (être très étonné)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Il ouvrit des yeux ronds en lisant l'article du journal.

open your arms

locution verbale (écarter les bras)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

welcome with open arms

(accueillir chaleureusement [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

listen very carefully

locution verbale (familier (écouter très attentivement)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

whet your appetite

locution verbale (donner de l'appétit)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

open 's mind

locution verbale (rendre [qqn] plus tolérant)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Le fait d'avoir vécu un an à l'étranger lui a ouvert l'esprit.

broaden 's mind, stretch 's mind

locution verbale (éveiller, instruire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet article détaillé lui ouvrit l'esprit sur la situation économique.

keep an eye open, keep one eye open

locution verbale (être attentif)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

open Pandora's box

locution verbale (figuré (provoquer une dispute) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

En abordant ce sujet polémique, il a ouvert la boîte de Pandore.

walk in front, lead the march

locution verbale (être en tête d'un défilé)

digress

locution verbale (commencer un aparté)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Le journaliste ouvrit rapidement la parenthèse sur la dernière victoire du club.

open the meeting

locution verbale (commencer une réunion)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Quand tout le monde fut installé, la présidente ouvrit la séance.

pave the way

locution verbale (préparer le terrain à [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

pave the way for , prepare the ground for

locution verbale (figuré (préparer les esprits à [qch] de nouveau) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

open the ball

locution verbale (faire la première danse d'un bal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

C'est traditionnellement la mariée qui ouvre le bal.

get the ball rolling

locution verbale (figuré (être le premier à agir) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

À la présentation de demain, c'est nous qui ouvrirons le bal.

open your mouth

locution verbale (familier (parler) (figurative: speak)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Si quelqu'un ouvre le bec pendant l'examen, il sera puni.

open fire

locution verbale (arme : commencer à tirer) (weapons)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

turn on the tap

locution verbale (actionner une arrivée d'eau) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

open the door to

locution verbale (figuré (donner accès à [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

open the score, open the scoring

locution verbale (Sports : marquer en premier)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Et ce sont les Français qui ouvrent le score avec un magnifique but de Zidane.

start the fight, start fighting

locution verbale (ouvrir un conflit)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

open the shades, open the blinds

locution verbale (laisser passer la lumière)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

wake up to

locution verbale (figuré (se rendre compte de [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mais ouvrez les yeux ! La direction nous ment, elle nous mène en bateau !

open 's eyes to

locution verbale (figuré (faire découvrir, faire voir) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cette visite d'usine m'a ouvert les yeux sur les conditions déplorables des ouvriers dans ce pays. Marion a ouvert les yeux à son frère.

open its doors

locution verbale (être accessible au public)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Dès 7 h 30, certains clients attendaient déjà sur le parking du magasin que celui-ci ouvre ses portes pour pouvoir faire quelques courses avant d'aller travailler.

open its doors to the public, open its doors for the first time

locution verbale (fonctionner pour la 1ère fois)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Une nouvelle épicerie devrait ouvrir ses portes le mois prochain.

pour your heart out

locution verbale (se confier) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

pour your heart out to

locution verbale (confier ses sentiments à [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

open an account

locution verbale (créer un compte bancaire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ils ouvrirent un compte commun après leur mariage.

cause a breach in

locution verbale (briser)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La pression ouvrit une brèche dans le barrage.

cause a breach in

locution verbale (figuré (briser) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cette réforme ouvre une brèche dans les relations sociales.

launch an investigation, launch an inquiry

locution verbale (débuter une investigation)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

digress

locution verbale (faire une digression)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

be open to other cultures, embrace other cultures

locution verbale (accepter les différences culturelles)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Let's learn French

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