閉める|しめるshimeru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N5approx.Common
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto close; to shut
    どうかドアを閉しめてくれませんか。↗
    Will you please shut the door?
Conjugation
Dictionary form閉める(しめる)
Polite (masu)閉めます(しめます)
Negative (nai)閉めない(しめない)
polite (masen)閉めません(しめません)
classical zu / nu閉めず・閉めぬ(しめず・しめぬ)
Past (ta)閉めた(しめた)
polite (mashita)閉めました(しめました)
Past negative (nakatta)閉めなかった(しめなかった)
polite (masen deshita)閉めませんでした(しめませんでした)
Te form閉めて(しめて)
Potential閉められる(しめられる)
Passive閉められる(しめられる)
Causative閉めさせる(しめさせる)
Causative passive閉めさせられる(しめさせられる)
Conditional (ba)閉めれば(しめれば)
tara閉めたら(しめたら)
Volitional閉めよう(しめよう)
polite (mashou)閉めましょう(しめましょう)
Imperative閉めろ(しめろ)

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

Transitive / intransitive pair
transitive閉めるしめる⇄intransitive閉まるしまる
ドアを閉しめる
閉まる describes the door closing by itself or its closed state, while 閉める focuses on someone deliberately closing the door.

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym閉じるとじるNeutralCloses books, eyes and the like, or brings an event to an end, and works intransitively too; 「閉める」 is mostly for doors, windows and lids.
  • SynonymクローズCasualColloquial loanword for a business closing for the day or an event or website shutting down, as in 「本日クローズ」.
  • Synonym閉鎖へいさNeutralSealing up entrances or a facility ceasing operation, as in 「工場を閉鎖する」.
  • Synonym閉ざすとざすWrittenWritten word for shutting something tight or blocking it off, also figuratively for closing one's heart, as in 「心を閉ざす」.
  • Related締め切るしめきるNeutralMeans keeping doors and windows shut, or closing off applications at a deadline, as in 「受付を締め切る」.
  • Related閉会へいかいFormalFormal word for the closing of a meeting or congress, as in 「閉会の辞」.
  • Related閉幕へいまくFormalFormal word for a performance or event ending with the curtain falling, as in 「大会が閉幕する」.
  • Related閉館へいかんFormalFormal word for a library, museum or the like closing, as in 「閉館時間」.
  • Related閉まるしまるNeutralIntransitive, with the door or window as subject, as in 「ドアが閉まる」; 「閉める」 is transitive and needs an object.
  • RelatedつぶるNeutralUsed only for closing the eyes, as in 「目をつぶる」, and figuratively for turning a blind eye.
  • Related塞ぐふさぐNeutralPlugs or blocks something up, as in 「耳を塞ぐ」 or 「道を塞ぐ」; the emphasis is on blocking.
  • Related鎖すさすWrittenArchaic written word read 「さす」 for shutting and locking a door; in everyday speech people say 「閉める」 or 「鍵をかける」.
  • Related閉扉へいひFormalFormal written word for shutting a door; very rare, and in daily speech one says 「扉を閉める」.
  • Related閉止へいしFormalWritten, technical word for shutting off or stopping something such as a valve.
  • Related閉院へいいんFormalFormal word for 「院」 institutions such as hospitals closing down or shutting for the day; often seen in notices.
  • Related閉場へいじょうFormalFormal word for a venue or theater closing after an event, mostly in announcements, as in 「閉場時間」.
  • Related閉園へいえんFormalFormal word for parks and zoos closing for the day, as in 「閉園時間」.
  • Antonym開けるあけるNeutralThe antonym: opens doors, windows and lids, and also means opening for business.

For doors, windows and lids, 「閉める」 is the default choice. Use 「閉まる」 to say the door itself closes (「ドアが閉まる」), 「閉じる」 for books and eyes, 「つぶる」 for eyes only, 「閉会」 for ending a meeting, and 「閉鎖」 or 「閉館」 for facilities shutting down; 「開ける」 is the opposite. The remaining words are formal, written or narrow terms for particular places and situations.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. (閉しめる) 通とおれない状態じょうたいにする。
  2. (閉しめる、締しめる、〆める) おわる。最後さいごにする。
  3. 募集ぼしゅうを打ち切うちきる。しめきりにする。
  4. ある食べ物たべものを最後さいごに飲食いんしょくをやめる。
  5. ある言葉ことばで発言はつげんを終おえる。しめくくる。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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

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