Japanese symbol for “unlock”
開ける
あける
Romaji: akeru
to open (a door, etc.); to unwrap (e.g. parcel, package); to unlock
In Japanese, unlock is 開ける, read あける (akeru).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v1, vt to open (a door, etc.); to unwrap (e.g. parcel, package); to unlock
- v1, vt to open (for business, etc.)
- v1, vt to empty; to remove; to make space; to make room
- v1, vt to move out; to clear out
- v1, vt to be away from (e.g. one's house); to leave (temporarily)
- v1, vi to dawn; to grow light
Written forms: 開ける、空ける、明ける. Readings: あける.
Kanji and stroke order
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 開催 | かいさい kaisai | holding (a conference, exhibition, etc.); opening; hosting (e.g. the Olympics) |
| 公開 | こうかい koukai | opening to the public; making available to the public; exhibiting |
| 開発 | かいはつ kaihatsu | development; cultivation; application |
| 開始 | かいし kaishi | start; commencement; beginning |
| 展開 | てんかい tenkai | development; evolution; progression |
| 開放 | かいほう kaihou | opening (a door, window, etc.); leaving open |
See also: Chinese symbol for “unlock”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
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