open
The Italian verb aprire means 'to open'.
verb
Meaning: to open
Ho aperto la finestra.
I opened the window.
Meaning: to start
Abbiamo aperto un nuovo progetto.
We started a new project.
Meaning: to unlock
Devi aprire la porta con la chiave.
You need to unlock the door with the key.
Meaning: to disclose
Non voglio aprire il mio segreto.
I don't want to disclose my secret.
Meaning: to reveal
Il detective ha aperto la verità sul caso.
The detective revealed the truth about the case.
A1: Io apro la finestra.
A1: I open the window.
A1: Loro aprono il libro.
A1: They open the book.
A1: Tu apri la porta.
A1: You open the door.
B1: Ho aperto una nuova attività commerciale l'anno scorso.
B1: I opened a new business last year.
B1: Quando arrivi, avrò già aperto il regalo di compleanno.
B1: When you arrive, I will have already opened the birthday present.
B2: Se tu mi avessi chiamato prima, avrei aperto la porta per te.
B2: If you had called me earlier, I would have opened the door for you.
C1: Dopo aver aperto il negozio, abbiamo subito iniziato a vendere moltissimo.
C1: After opening the store, we immediately started selling a lot.
C1: Spero che tu abbia aperto la posta elettronica per leggere il mio messaggio importante.
C1: I hope you have opened your email to read my important message.
C2: Nonostante avessero aperto le finestre, l'aria era ancora pesante nella stanza.
C2: Despite having opened the windows, the air was still heavy in the room.
Aprire is a common verb in the Italian language and is used in a variety of contexts. It can refer to physically opening something, such as a door or window, but it can also be used figuratively to mean 'to start' or 'to begin'. For example, you might say 'ho aperto un nuovo progetto' (I started a new project) or 'apriamo una nuova pagina della nostra vita' (we are starting a new chapter in our lives).
In addition to its literal and figurative meanings, aprire can also be used in idiomatic expressions. For instance, 'aprire gli occhi' (literally, 'to open one's eyes') means 'to become aware' or 'to wake up', while 'aprire il cuore' (literally, 'to open one's heart') means 'to confide in someone' or 'to share one's feelings'.
Like many Italian verbs, aprire is irregular and has different forms depending on the tense and subject. However, with practice and study, learners of Italian can become comfortable using this versatile verb in everyday conversation.