閉まる・締まる・緊まる|しまるshimaru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
閉まる閉まる is the most common form and the recommended choice for beginners. Use it as your default when producing Japanese.
締まる締まる is less common than 閉まる. It is a variant you may encounter, but learners should normally choose 閉まる instead.
緊まる緊まる is rarely used, so you will seldom see it. Recognize it when encountered, but use 閉まる instead when producing Japanese.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto be shut; to close; to be closedesp. 閉まる
- godan verb, intransitive verbto be firm (of a body, face, etc.); to be well-knit
- godan verb, intransitive verbto be locked
- godan verb, intransitive verbto tighten; to be tightened
- godan verb, intransitive verbto become sober; to become tense
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 閉まる（しまる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 閉まります（しまります） |
| Negative (nai) | 閉まらない（しまらない） |
| polite (masen) | 閉まりません（しまりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 閉まらず・閉まらぬ（しまらず・しまらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 閉まった（しまった） |
| polite (mashita) | 閉まりました（しまりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 閉まらなかった（しまらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 閉まりませんでした（しまりませんでした） |
| Te form | 閉まって（しまって） |
| Potential | 閉まれる（しまれる） |
| Passive | 閉まられる（しまられる） |
| Causative | 閉まらせる（しまらせる） |
| Causative passive | 閉まらせられる・閉まらされる（しまらせられる・しまらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 閉まれば（しまれば） |
| tara | 閉まったら（しまったら） |
| Volitional | 閉まろう（しまろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 閉まりましょう（しまりましょう） |
| Imperative | 閉まれ（しまれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
ドアが閉まる
閉まる emphasizes the event or resulting state of ドア, while 閉める foregrounds an agent acting on it: ドアが閉まる versus ドアを閉める.
ねじが締まる
締まる emphasizes the event or resulting state of ねじ, while 締める foregrounds an agent acting on it: ねじが締まる versus ねじを締める.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym閉じるとじるNeutralCovers closing or ending things like books, eyes and meetings; also works transitively, as in 「目を閉じる」.
- SynonymクローズCasualColloquial loanword for a business closing or a website or event shutting down, as in 「本日クローズ」.
- Related閉鎖へいさWrittenWritten/formal word for sealing entrances and exits or shutting down facilities and factories; mostly in formal settings.
- RelatedふさがるNeutralEmphasizes being blocked or filled up, as in 「道が塞がる」 or 「手が塞がる」; the nuance is blockage, not just closing.
- Related閉めるしめるNeutralThe transitive counterpart: someone shuts a door or window. 「閉まる」 is intransitive, but 「ドアが閉まる」 is fine even when a person closes it.
- Related閉館へいかんWrittenWritten/formal: libraries, museums and the like close for the day or permanently, as in 「閉館時間」.
- Related閉止へいしWrittenWritten, technical term for shutting or stopping something such as a valve; not used in daily conversation.
- Related閉場へいじょうWrittenWritten/formal: venues such as halls and theatres empty and close, as in 「閉場時間」; mostly used for events.
- Related閉業へいぎょうWrittenLeans written: a business finishes for the day or ceases operation; everyday speech prefers 「閉店」.
- Related閉園へいえんWrittenWritten/formal: parks, zoos and kindergartens close, as in 「閉園時間」.
- Related閉扉へいひWrittenWritten word for shutting doors or gates, seen in explanatory text such as car-door notices; in speech say 「ドアを閉める」.
- Antonym緩むゆるむNeutralAntonym of the tightening, firm sense of 「締まる」: screws, ropes and the like come loose.
- AntonymたるむNeutralThe same word as 「緩む」, also written 「弛む」; covers slackening, including mental slackness.
For doors, windows and shops closing, 「閉まる」 is the default; when a person does the closing, use 「閉める」. Use 「閉じる」 for books, eyes and meetings, and 「閉鎖」 or 「閉館」 for facilities shutting down. The other written compounds and colloquial 「クローズ」 are narrower, and 「塞がる」 stresses blockage. 「緩む」 is the antonym of the firm sense of 「締まる」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
