otwórz

Otwórz is the second-person singular imperative form of the Polish verb otworzyć, meaning to open. It is used to issue a direct command to someone to perform the action of opening and, as a perfective imperative, signals a single, completed action. The imperfective counterpart is otwieraj (singular) and otwierajcie (plural), which can express repeated or habitual opening.

Usage and examples

Otwórz is common in everyday speech, signs, and user interfaces. It frequently appears with a direct object, for example: Otwórz drzwi (Open the door), Otwórz plik (Open the file), Otwórz okno (Open the window). In software and websites, otwórz is often used on buttons or prompts to trigger an action that opens a resource or window.

Grammar and related forms

The imperative forms are used for direct address. Negation is formed with nie before the imperative, for instance Nie otwieraj (singular) or Nie otwierajcie (plural). The verb otworzyć is the perfective counterpart to the imperfective otwierać, and together they cover the core aspectual pair for opening actions in Polish.

Etymology and usage notes

Otwórz derives from a root related to an opening or opening action and is part of a larger family of Polish verbs built around the concept of opening or unfolding. Its use is primarily functional, occurring in daily speech, instruction, and technology contexts where an action to open something is requested or required. See also Polish verbs, Imperative mood, otworzyć.