Ouvrir or allumer? Open an app, switch on a device

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Choose ouvrir or allumer for files, apps, devices and lights. Follow a desk-side conversation, study paired examples and try a short French quiz.

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In short

Use ouvrir to open an app, file, door or window. Use allumer to switch on a device or a light: j’allume l’ordinateur, puis j’ouvre le document.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out

An adult switches on a simple desk lamp beside an open laptop in a quiet French apartment.
Switching on the lamp gives allumer a concrete action. Illustration: Atelier

What is the difference between ouvrir and allumer?

ouvrirto open

Focus: access to a space or content

ouvrir + noun

J’ouvre le fichier.
I open the file.

Elle ouvre la fenêtre.
She opens the window.

allumerto switch on; to light

Focus: power, light or a flame

allumer + noun

J’allume l’écran.
I switch on the screen.

Il allume une bougie.
He lights a candle.

Four objects: say what you would switch on

At the desk: power first, content next

Le document pour la réunion
  1. Inès

    L’ordinateur est éteint. Tu peux l’allumer ?

    The computer is off. Can you switch it on?

  2. You

    Oui. J’allume aussi la lampe ?

    Yes. Shall I switch on the lamp too?

  3. Inès

    Oui, merci. Ensuite, ouvre le dossier « Réunion ».

    Yes, thanks. Then open the folder “Meeting”.

  4. You

    C’est fait. Quel fichier est-ce que j’ouvre ?

    Done. Which file shall I open?

  5. Inès

    Le programme de demain.

    Tomorrow’s programme.

The reverse action helps you remember
Open or switch onClose or switch off
ouvrir une applicationfermer une application
ouvrir une portefermer une porte
allumer la télévisionéteindre la télévision
allumer la lumièreéteindre la lumière

J’ouvre mon ordinateur portable can describe lifting the laptop lid. J’allume mon ordinateur portable describes switching it on. When you mean the physical movement, je soulève le couvercle makes it explicit. Use téléphone portable or ordinateur portable when portable alone could be unclear.

Present forms to recognise
Subjectouvrirallumer
je / j’j’ouvrej’allume
nousnous ouvronsnous allumons
vousvous ouvrezvous allumez

An on-screen window is also une fenêtre. In J’ouvre une nouvelle fenêtre dans mon navigateur, the browser tells you that the window is on the screen. In J’ouvre la fenêtre de la chambre, you are opening the bedroom window.

Question 1No account needed
The computer is running. You want to read the saved report.Je vais ___ le document.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

ouvrir. You open a document to read its content: ouvrir le document.

Question 2No account needed
The room is dark. Ask someone to switch on the light.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Allume la lumière.. Allumer la lumière is the everyday expression for switching on the light.

Question 3No account needed
Which sentence describes two distinct actions?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

J’allume l’ordinateur, puis j’ouvre l’application.. The device is switched on; the application is opened so you can use it.

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