Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "閉めます", "閉める", "密着", "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
閉める
しめる (shimeru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
密着
みっちゃく (micchaku)
N3 / 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", "閉める", "密着", "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..
- 閉める (しめる (shimeru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to close (something)" and is used when Transitive verb.
- 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.
- 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 "閉める"
窓を閉めてください。
Please close the window.
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 "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.".