開ける
a-ke-ru
Open your mouth, open the way: same verb
The picture You move whatever is blocking to the side, leaving a gap that inside and outside can pass through. 開ける moves the blocker aside to leave a gap; 閉める presses that gap shut again.
Where the picture shows up in 開ける
-
Parting a closed door
窓を開けてもいいですか。
mado o akete mo ii desu ka
May I open the window?
The pane stuck against the frame slides aside, leaving a gap the air comes through.
-
Parting a lid
この箱を開けてください。
kono hako o akete kudasai
Please open this box.
The lid over the box lifts up so you can see what is inside.
-
Opening a shop to customers
店は十時に開けます。
mise wa jū-ji ni ake-masu
We open the store at ten.
The shutter rolls up and the shop's doorway stands open to customers.
-
Clearing a blocked path
すみません、道を開けてください。
sumimasen, michi o akete kudasai
Excuse me, could you make way?
A body blocking the path steps aside, leaving a gap for people to pass.
You move your body aside to open a passage for others. When it means clearing a space, it is also written 空ける.
-
Parting an opening in the body
口を大きく開けてください。
kuchi o ōkiku akete kudasai
Please open your mouth wide.
Two lips pressed together part up and down until the throat shows.
All of it in one picture
開ける is one hand moving whatever blocks to the side. Slide the pane and air passes; lift the lid and the inside shows; roll the shutter up and customers come in; step aside and people get through; part your lips and the throat shows. In all five the blocker has not disappeared — it has only moved aside — and the gap it leaves is the route something can now take.