接近|せっきんsekkin[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbgetting closer; drawing nearer; approaching
    飛行機ひこうきはニューヨークに接近せっきんしている。↗
    The plane is approaching New York.
  2. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbbeing not much different; being near (age, skill, etc.)
  3. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbbecoming close (i.e. friendly); becoming intimate
Conjugation
Dictionary form接近する(せっきんする)
Polite (masu)接近します(せっきんします)
Negative (nai)接近しない(せっきんしない)
polite (masen)接近しません(せっきんしません)
classical zu / nu接近せず・接近せぬ(せっきんせず・せっきんせぬ)
Past (ta)接近した(せっきんした)
polite (mashita)接近しました(せっきんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)接近しなかった(せっきんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)接近しませんでした(せっきんしませんでした)
Te form接近して(せっきんして)
Potential接近できる(せっきんできる)
Passive接近される(せっきんされる)
Causative接近させる(せっきんさせる)
Causative passive接近させられる(せっきんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)接近すれば(せっきんすれば)
tara接近したら(せっきんしたら)
Volitional接近しよう(せっきんしよう)
polite (mashou)接近しましょう(せっきんしましょう)
Imperative接近しろ(せっきんしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym近づくちかづくNeutralThe everyday verb for moving or drawing closer, as in 「春が近づく」. Common in speech, while 「接近」 is a noun that leans toward news reporting.
  • Synonym近接きんせつNeutralWritten/formal prose for being adjacent or in close proximity, as in 「駅に近接する」; it stresses things sitting right next to each other.
  • Synonym近寄るちかよるNeutralTo walk up close to someone or something, as in 「近寄らないで」; the focus is on a person's movement.
  • Synonym寄るよるNeutralTo draw near, or to stop by somewhere on the way, as in 「店に寄る」.
  • Synonym詰め寄るつめよるNeutralTo close in on someone, often to press them for an answer, as in 「詰め寄る」; it carries a strong sense of pressure.
  • Synonym迫るせまるNeutralTo bear down on you, as in 「締め切りが迫る」; close to 「接近」 but with a strong sense of urgency.
  • Related間近まぢかNeutralMeans very near in time or distance, right before your eyes, as in 「完成間近」; it stresses closeness itself rather than the act of approaching.
  • Related差し迫るさしせまるNeutralFor something so imminent it presses on you and demands action, as in 「差し迫った問題」.
  • RelatedアプローチNeutralLoanword for approaching a target, or for a method of tackling a problem, as in 「別のアプローチ」.
  • Related寄せるよせるNeutralTo bring something near or gather it together, as in 「車を寄せる」; a transitive verb about what gets moved closer, though the mover may move with it.
  • Related押し迫るおしせまるWrittenWritten/formal prose for a date or deadline bearing down, such as the year's end.
  • Antonym遠ざかるとおざかるNeutralThe opposite of 「接近」: to move away and grow distant.
  • Antonym離れるはなれるNeutralTo leave or be apart from something; the reverse of 「接近」.

Use 「接近」 for a typhoon, vehicle, etc. drawing near, or for relationships growing close (「台風が接近する」). In everyday speech, 「近づく」 is the usual verb; use 「近寄る」 for a person walking up close, 「間近」 for something right upon you in time or distance, and 「迫る」 when urgency is the point. The opposite is 「遠ざかる」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 近ちかづくこと。
  2. 両者りょうしゃの程度ていどや内容ないようの差さが縮ちぢまること。
  3. より親したしくなること。親したしく交際こうさいすること。交際こうさいのために心理的しんりてきな距離きょりを縮ちぢめること。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android