Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "閉める", "閉まる", "緊密", "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
閉まる
しまる (shimaru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
緊密
きんみつ (kinmitsu)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
肉薄
にくはく (nikuhaku)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
手近
てぢか (tejika)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "close" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "閉める", "閉まる", "緊密", "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.
- 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.
- 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..
- 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 "閉まる"
ドアが閉まります。
The door closes.
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 "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.".