Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "閉めます", "閉じる", "緊密", "肉薄"
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
閉じる
とじる (tojiru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
緊密
きんみつ (kinmitsu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
肉薄
にくはく (nikuhaku)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "close" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "閉めます", "閉じる", "緊密", "肉薄" 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..
- 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..
- 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.
Context for "閉めます"
ドアを閉めます。
I close the door.
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 "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.
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.".