Breakdown of Локер открывается картой доступа.
открываться
to open
карта доступа
the access card
локер
the storage locker
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Questions & Answers about Локер открывается картой доступа.
Why is it открывается and not открывает?
Открывается is the verb открываться, which is the -ся form of открывать.
In this sentence, -ся gives the verb a passive-like meaning:
- Локер открывает... = The locker opens ... something, which does not make sense here.
- Локер открывается... = The locker opens / is opened ...
So the sentence means that the locker is opened by means of an access card.
What exactly does -ся mean here?
Here -ся does not mean that the locker is literally doing the action to itself in the English reflexive sense. In sentences like this, it often makes the verb sound passive-like or middle voice:
- Дверь открывается ключом = The door opens / is opened with a key
- Локер открывается картой доступа = The locker opens / is opened with an access card
Russian often uses this structure where English might prefer is opened.
Why is картой in that form?