How to say "shut" in Japanese

• 閉じるとじるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbCovers closing things that shut by folding or coming together, such as a book, one's eyes, or a meeting. This is the verb for 'close' in these cases, not for sealing something off.
• 閉ざすとざすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbTo shut something in or off — closing, fastening or locking it so that nothing passes through. Choose it when 'shut' implies sealing or cutting off, not simply closing.
  日本にっぽんの米べい市場しじょうは輸入ゆにゅうに対たいし閉とざされている。↗

  Japan's rice market is closed to imports.
• つぶるJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers only the eyes: to shut or close one's eyes. It is usually written in kana alone rather than with kanji, and is not the verb for shutting doors, books, or meetings.
  あまりに光ひかりが強つよいので彼女かのじょは目めをつぶった。↗

  She shut her eyes because the light was so strong.
• 閉めるしめるJLPT N5approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe everyday verb for shutting doors, windows and similar openings. For these physical 'shut' senses this is the choice; 閉じる instead suits things that fold or come together, like books and eyes.
  どうかドアを閉しめてくれませんか。↗

  Will you please shut the door?

Use 「閉じる」 for things that fold or come together such as books, eyes and meetings, 「閉める」 for shutting doors and the like, 「閉ざす」 when something is shut off or sealed, and 「つぶる」 only for shutting one's eyes.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 閉じるとじるto close (e.g. book, eyes, meeting, etc.)
• 閉ざすとざすto shut
• つぶるto close (one's eyes)
• 閉めるしめるto close
• シャットshut
• 閉てるたてるto shut
• 鎖すさすto shut
• つぼむto close (of flowers)
• すぼめるto make narrower
• 緘するかんするto seal
• 立つたつto shut (of a door, shoji, etc.)
• 立てるたてるto shut
• 差すさすto shut
• 挿すさすto shut