Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "閉じる", "緊密", "密接", "肉薄", "手近"
All represent the core concept "close", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
閉じる
とじる (tojiru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
緊密
きんみつ (kinmitsu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
密接
みっせつ (missetsu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
肉薄
にくはく (nikuhaku)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
手近
てぢか (tejika)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "close" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "閉じる", "緊密", "密接", "肉薄", "手近" based on context.
- 閉じる (とじる (tojiru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to close (transitive); to shut" and is used when 本や目、傘などを閉める際に使います。ドアや窓には「閉める」を使うことが多いですが、お店を閉めるなどの場合にも使われます。.
- 緊密 (きんみつ (kinmitsu) - Level: N2): Maps to "close, intimate, tight, dense (relationship, connection)" and is used when Describes strong, close relationships, connections, or interactions, especially between groups, countries, or organizations..
- 密接 (みっせつ (missetsu) - Level: N2): Maps to "close, intimate, inseparable, related" and is used when Describes a very close and strong relationship or connection between two or more things, often abstract concepts or phenomena. It implies an inseparable link..
- 肉薄 (にくはく (nikuhaku) - Level: N2): Maps to "to close in on, to press hard, to nearly catch up with" and is used when Implies approaching someone/something very closely, often with a sense of pursuit, urgency, or intensity. Can be physical.
- 手近 (てぢか (tejika) - Level: N2): Maps to "close at hand, handy, accessible, familiar" and is used when すぐ手の届く範囲にあること、または簡単に利用できること。身近で慣れているという意味でも使われます。.
Context for "閉じる"
私は疲れたので、目を閉じました。
I was tired, so I closed my eyes.
Context for "緊密"
両国間の緊密な協力関係が、地域の平和に貢献している。
Close cooperative relations between the two countries are contributing to regional peace.
Context for "密接"
環境問題は私たちの生活に密接に関わっている。
Environmental issues are closely related to our daily lives.
Context for "肉薄"
彼はライバルに肉薄し、優勝争いを繰り広げた。
He pressed hard against his rival, engaging in a fierce competition for the championship.
Context for "手近"
手近なもので朝食を済ませた。
I finished breakfast with what I had close at hand.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私は疲れたので、目を閉じました。" (Meaning: "I was tired, so I closed my eyes.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "閉じる" is correct here because it represents "to close (transitive); to shut" in the context: "I was tired, so I closed my eyes.".