How do you say "to close" in Japanese?

閉める

shimeru

Verb Kanji

In Japanese, "to close" is 閉める (shimeru).

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Pronunciation

閉める is written using kanji. Romanised as shimeru, it sounds roughly like "shee-meh-roo" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

The kanji 閉 uses the gate radical (door) with a phonetic component suggesting the action of sealing or shutting. Essential for describing doors and windows.

Example sentence

一緒に閉めますか？

Issho ni shimemasu ka?

Shall we to close together?

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How to remember 閉める

A gate closing shut. The gate radical on the left shows the physical barrier you are sealing.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more Japanese verbs.

Questions about 閉める

How do you pronounce 閉める?

閉める is romanised as shimeru. Say it roughly like "shee-meh-roo" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is 閉める formal or casual?

閉める is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is 閉める written in Japanese?

閉める is written using kanji. The kanji 閉 uses the gate radical (door) with a phonetic component suggesting the action of sealing or shutting.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"To close" in other languages

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