Openvouwen

Openvouwen is a Dutch verb that means to unfold or to spread out a folded object by opening it along its folds. It is commonly used for objects such as maps, brochures, posters, drawings, or packaging, as well as in origami and crafts.

The term combines open (open) with vouwen (to fold). It is commonly treated as a separable compound verb in everyday Dutch. In present-tense forms you typically say vouw het open (not openvouw), and the past participle is opengevouwen. The infinitive is openvouwen, and some sources also list openvouwen as a single verb form; both variants occur.

Usage notes: Distinguish from uitvouwen (to fully unfold; spread open). Openvouwen emphasizes the act of opening a folded item to reveal its interior; uitvouwen often stresses the final unfolded state. In technical contexts the two may be used interchangeably depending on phrasing.

Examples:

- Ik moet de kaart openvouwen.

- Kan je die brochure even openvouwen?

- Het papier is opengevouwen.

- De map wordt opengevouwen voordat hij in de tas stopt.

- Tijdens het inpakken vouwde zij de doos open.

See also: uitvouwen, uitklappen, ontvouwen, vouwen.