Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "閉めます", "閉める", "閉まる", "精査"
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
閉まる
しまる (shimaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
精査
せいさ (seisa)
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", "閉まる", "精査" 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.
- 閉まる (しまる (shimaru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to close (intransitive)" and is used when Intransitive verb. Used when something closes by itself or is closed by an unspecified agent. For transitive 'to close.
- 精査 (せいさ (seisa) - Level: N2): Maps to "close examination, careful investigation, scrutiny" and is used when Refers to examining something very carefully and thoroughly, often to find errors or inconsistencies, or to confirm accuracy. Used in formal contexts like auditing, reviewing documents, or scientific analysis..
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 "閉まる"
ドアが閉まります。
The door closes.
Context for "精査"
提出された書類を精査する。
We will carefully examine the submitted documents.
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.".