open

English translation: fresh, natural, sincere, innocent, unpretentious

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:open
Selected answer:fresh, natural, sincere, innocent, unpretentious
Entered by: Ivan Niu

02:07 May 28, 2012
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Cosmetics, Beauty / perfume
English term or phrase: open
The Eau de Toilette is open and sparkling.

The Eau de Toilette is a type of perfume. When we use "open" to describe the perfume, what does it mean? Is there another adjective or phrase with the same meaning?

Must be an easy question for native English speakers. Thanks in advance!!
Ivan Niu
China
Local time: 16:50
fresh, natural, sincere, innocent, unpretentious
Explanation:
It's not such an easy question, Ivan, even for a native speaker. The word "open" seems to be designed to suggest qualities rather than describe literal attributes: it works by connotation, rather than denotation. Applied to a perfume, I associate "open" with honesty and simplicity, as when you describe a person as having an open nature. "Sparkling" suggest brightness, energy, something invigorating (I'm sure it doesn't mean that the eau de toilette is literally fizzy!). So I think it's meant to imply that the perfume is uncomplicated and fresh. It's trying to capture a feeling. Some combination of the words listed above might express what is involved.
Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 09:50
Grading comment
Thank you very much!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +5fresh, natural, sincere, innocent, unpretentious
Charles Davis


  

Answers


3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
fresh, natural, sincere, innocent, unpretentious


Explanation:
It's not such an easy question, Ivan, even for a native speaker. The word "open" seems to be designed to suggest qualities rather than describe literal attributes: it works by connotation, rather than denotation. Applied to a perfume, I associate "open" with honesty and simplicity, as when you describe a person as having an open nature. "Sparkling" suggest brightness, energy, something invigorating (I'm sure it doesn't mean that the eau de toilette is literally fizzy!). So I think it's meant to imply that the perfume is uncomplicated and fresh. It's trying to capture a feeling. Some combination of the words listed above might express what is involved.

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 09:50
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Thank you very much!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Shera Lyn Parpia: innocent and unpretentious sound best to me
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Shera! I think that's probably right; it's something along those lines.

agree  CBHarris: Fresh, light, brisk, crisp, it´s hard to say without knowing anything about the scent.
1 hr
  -> Thanks, CB :) This suddenly reminds me of winetasting: very impressionistic.

agree  Jenni Lukac (X): I agree with CB: "an open bouquet" (but here, not in the mouth).
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Jenni! Yes, light and crisp (not to mention sparkling) does sound like a nice chilled glass of something white!

agree  Tina Vonhof (X): I take it to mean the opposite of 'mysterious' or 'seducing' or 'sensual'.
10 hrs
  -> Yes, I think that's a good way of putting it. Thanks, Tina!

agree  Phong Le
4 days
  -> Many thanks, Phong Le!
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