offenbleiben

Offenbleiben is a German verb meaning to remain open, stay open, or to stay unresolved. It combines the adjective offen (open) with the verb bleiben (to stay). The expression is used for concrete openness as well as for abstract states such as questions, decisions, or options that have not yet been decided.

Grammatical notes: offenbleiben is a separable verb, so in the present tense the prefix is typically separated in main clauses: Die Tür bleibt offen. In perfect tense, the auxiliary is sein: Die Tür ist offen geblieben. The past participle is typically ble, i.e., geblieben, with the finite form of bleiben. In attributive or adjectival use one can encounter forms such as eine offen gebliebene Frage or, less commonly, eine offengebliebene Frage, though the simpler offenen/bleibende construction is more common in everyday language.

Usage and nuance: offenbleiben is used for physical doors, windows, or gates that have not been closed, or for abstract matters that have not been decided or resolved. For example, Die Tür bleibt offen. Die Verhandlungen bleiben offen. Die Frage bleibt offen. The verb emphasizes the ongoing state rather than a completed action. In planning and decision contexts, it often signals that further information or negotiation is needed before a conclusion can be drawn. If the intention is to indicate that someone specifically leaves something open deliberately, another verb such as offenhalten or offenlassen may be used, depending on nuance.

See also: offenstehen (to be open or available), offenlassen (to leave open intentionally), and offengeblieben ( adjectival form for an open issue).