閉ざす・鎖す|とざすtozasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
閉ざす閉ざす（とざす） is the common kanji-and-kana written form and the natural choice for learners when writing this word.
鎖す鎖す（とざす） is a rarely used kanji-and-kana written form; beginners should generally choose 閉ざす（とざす） instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto shut; to close; to fasten; to lock
- godan verb, transitive verbto block (a street, entrance, etc.)
- godan verb, transitive verbto shut in (with snow, ice, etc.); to shut off; to cut off; to cover (e.g. in darkness)usu. in the passive湖は氷に閉ざされた。↗The lake was bound in ice.
- godan verb, transitive verbto consume (with negative feelings); to fill (e.g. with sadness); to bury (e.g. in grief)usu. in the passive
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 閉ざす（とざす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 閉ざします（とざします） |
| Negative (nai) | 閉ざさない（とざさない） |
| polite (masen) | 閉ざしません（とざしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 閉ざさず・閉ざさぬ（とざさず・とざさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 閉ざした（とざした） |
| polite (mashita) | 閉ざしました（とざしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 閉ざさなかった（とざさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 閉ざしませんでした（とざしませんでした） |
| Te form | 閉ざして（とざして） |
| Potential | 閉ざせる（とざせる） |
| Passive | 閉ざされる（とざされる） |
| Causative | 閉ざさせる（とざさせる） |
| Causative passive | 閉ざさせられる（とざさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 閉ざせば（とざせば） |
| tara | 閉ざしたら（とざしたら） |
| Volitional | 閉ざそう（とざそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 閉ざしましょう（とざしましょう） |
| Imperative | 閉ざせ（とざせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
本が閉じる
心を閉ざす
閉じる focuses on the event or resulting state, whereas 閉ざす foregrounds the agent acting on something: 本が閉じる, but 心を閉ざす.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym閉鎖へいさNeutralA noun for closing down facilities or ending operations, as in 「工場閉鎖」; 「閉ざす」 is more literary and can also describe shutting off one's heart.
- Synonym封じるふうじるNeutralMeans sealing something shut or suppressing speech and actions, as in 「口を封じる」; the focus is on making something unable to move or act.
- Synonym閉じるとじるNeutralUsed for closing eyes or books, or ending a meeting; 「閉ざす」 is heavier, often carrying a sense of blocking off or isolation.
- Synonym閉めるしめるNeutralThe most everyday word for shutting doors and windows; 「閉ざす」 is more written-style, often figurative for closing one's heart or a road.
- SynonymクローズNeutralA loanword for closing or ending business, used mainly for shops and websites; colloquial.
- Synonym封鎖ふうさNeutralA noun for blockading roads or areas or freezing funds, as in 「道路封鎖」; carries a coercive, forceful nuance.
- Synonym封ずるふうずるWrittenA written, old-fashioned form of 「封じる」; in modern usage people say 「封じる」.
- Related締め切るしめきるNeutralMeans keeping doors and windows shut, or closing applications at a deadline; the focus is on staying closed or on a time limit.
- Related塞ぐふさぐNeutralMeans plugging or blocking a gap or passage, and also feeling depressed; the focus is on filling and stopping up.
- RelatedつぶるNeutralUsed only for closing the eyes, as in 「目を瞑る」, also figuratively for turning a blind eye; limited to eyes.
- Related閉塞へいそくWrittenA written noun for blockage, also figurative for a stifling situation, as in 「閉塞感」; common in medical and social topics.
- Related遮断しゃだんNeutralA noun for cutting off the flow of traffic, electricity or communications; the focus is on severing the connection.
- Related遮るさえぎるNeutralMeans blocking a view or light, or interrupting someone speaking; the focus is on standing in the way.
- Related差し固めるさしかためるWrittenMeans shutting a door or gate tightly, or giving a stern warning; old-fashioned written language.
- Related緘するかんするWrittenA literary word for sealing a letter or keeping silent, as in 「口を緘する」; rarely used today.
- Related閉扉へいひWrittenA written noun for shutting doors or gates, seen mainly at temples and shrines or in formal contexts; rare.
- Antonym開けるあけるNeutralThe antonym: to open doors, windows, parcels and the like, the opposite of closing with 「閉ざす」.
For everyday doors and windows use 「閉める」; for eyes and books, 「閉じる」. 「閉ざす」 is more literary, for shutting gates, sealing off roads, closing one's heart, or being shut in by snow. Facilities closing down take 「閉鎖」. For plugging or sealing use 「塞ぐ」 or 「封じる」; blockades are 「封鎖」 and cut-offs 「遮断」. 「封ずる」, 「緘する」, 「閉扉」 and 「差し固める」 are rare written words.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
