Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "はじまります" vs "閉まる"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
はじまります
はじまります (hajimarimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
閉まる
しまる (shimaru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both はじまります and 閉まる are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
はじまります (はじまります (hajimarimasu)) represents "to begin, to start (intransitive)" (Level: N5) and typically represents Intransitive verb. Used when something starts by itself or a situation begins. The subject is the thing that starts.
On the other hand, 閉まる (しまる (shimaru)) translates to "to close (intransitive)" (Level: N4) and is used for Intransitive verb. Used when something closes by itself or is closed by an unspecified agent. For transitive 'to close. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "はじまります"
会議は9時に始まります。
The meeting starts at 9 o'clock.
Bilingual Sentence for "閉まる"
ドアが閉まります。
The door closes.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会議は9時に始まります。" (Meaning: "The meeting starts at 9 o'clock.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "はじまります" fits here because it represents "to begin, to start (intransitive)" in the context: "The meeting starts at 9 o'clock.".