Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "閉めます" vs "おろす"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
閉めます
しめます (shimemasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
おろす
おろす (orosu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 閉めます and おろす are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
閉めます (しめます (shimemasu)) represents "to close" (Level: N5) and typically represents Transitive verb. Used for closing doors, windows, books, shops, eyes, etc. The object is marked with を..
On the other hand, おろす (おろす (orosu)) translates to "to lower, to take down, to withdraw (money)" (Level: N5) and is used for Transitive verb. Used for lowering something, taking something down from a height, or withdrawing money from a bank.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "閉めます"
ドアを閉めます。
I close the door.
Bilingual Sentence for "おろす"
銀行でお金を下ろしました。
I withdrew money from the bank.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ドアを ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I close the door.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "閉めます" fits here because it represents "to close" in the context: "I close the door.".