🦅 Project Eagle
Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "閉める", "閉じる", "緊密", "精査"

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

緊密

きんみつ (kinmitsu)
N2 / 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 "閉める", "閉じる", "緊密", "精査" 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。.
  • 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..
  • 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..
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
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 "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 "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: "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.".

💡 Practice with AI! Live

Don't just read. Practice speaking this grammar with our interactive AI coach for free!

Try AI Speaking 👉