Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "閉める", "閉じる", "密着", "精査", "肉薄"
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
閉じる
とじる (tojiru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
密着
みっちゃく (micchaku)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
精査
せいさ (seisa)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
肉薄
にくはく (nikuhaku)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "close" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "閉める", "閉じる", "密着", "精査", "肉薄" based on context.
- 閉める (しめる (shimeru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to close (something)" and is used when Transitive verb.
- 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。.
- 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.
- 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..
- 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 "閉める"
窓を閉めてください。
Please close the window.
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 "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 "精査"
提出された書類を精査する。
We will carefully examine the submitted documents.
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: "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.".