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Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "閉めます", "密着", "密接", "手近"

All represent the core concept "close", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

閉めます

しめます (shimemasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

密着

みっちゃく (micchaku)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

密接

みっせつ (missetsu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

手近

てぢか (tejika)
N2 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "close" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "閉めます", "密着", "密接", "手近" based on context.
  • 閉めます (しめます (shimemasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to close" and is used when Transitive verb. Used for closing doors, windows, books, shops, eyes, etc. The object is marked with を..
  • 密着 (みっちゃく (micchaku) - Level: N3): Maps to "close contact; adhesion; sticking together; coverage/on-the-spot reporting" and is used when Refers to close physical contact, sticking together tightly, or on-the-spot coverage/detailed reporting. Often used as 密着取材.
  • 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..
  • 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。.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "閉めます"
ドアを閉めます。
I close the door.
Context for "密着"
このテープは接着力が極めて高く、ガラスの表面に_______して水漏れを完全に防ぎます。
This tape has extremely high adhesive strength, sticking tightly to the glass surface and completely preventing water leaks.
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 "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: "ドアを ___ 。" (Meaning: "I close the door.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "閉めます" is correct here because it represents "to close" in the context: "I close the door.".

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