Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "閉める", "閉まる", "閉じる", "密着"
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
閉じる
とじる (tojiru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
密着
みっちゃく (micchaku)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "close" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "閉める", "閉まる", "閉じる", "密着" 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.
- 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.
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 "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.
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.".