Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "閉める", "密接", "肉薄", "手近"
All represent the core concept "close", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
閉める
しめる (shimeru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
密接
みっせつ (missetsu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
肉薄
にくはく (nikuhaku)
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 "閉める", "密接", "肉薄", "手近" based on context.
- 閉める (しめる (shimeru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to close (something)" and is used when Transitive verb.
- 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 "閉める"
窓を閉めてください。
Please close the window.
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: "窓を閉めてください。" (Meaning: "Please close the window.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "閉める" is correct here because it represents "to close (something)" in the context: "Please close the window.".