Translation guide
The English word 'close' has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: shutting something, being near in space or time, ending an event or activity, and describing relationships or similarity. Each meaning is treated separately with natural Japanese options.
To move something so that an opening is covered or blocked.
Transitive verb meaning to shut something. Used for doors, windows, lids, etc.
ドアを閉めてください。
Please close the door.
窓を閉めてもいいですか。
May I close the window?
Intransitive verb meaning to shut by itself. Used when something closes automatically or without specifying who does it.
ドアが自動で閉まります。
The door closes automatically.
窓が風で閉まった。
The window closed because of the wind.
Both transitive and intransitive. Often used for books, eyes, mouths, or abstract things like meetings. Slightly more formal than 閉める/閉まる.
本を閉じてください。
Please close the book.
目を閉じてリラックスしましょう。
Close your eyes and relax.
Transitive verb meaning to shut firmly, often used for gates, doors, or metaphorically for hearts or minds. Literary or formal.
門を固く閉ざした。
They firmly closed the gate.
Being a short distance away or happening soon.
Adjective meaning near or close. Used for physical distance, time, relationships, and similarity.
駅はここから近いです。
The station is close to here.
試験が近いので勉強しなければ。
The exam is close, so I have to study.
Emphasizes very close proximity. Often used with に or の.
コンビニはすぐ近くにあります。
The convenience store is very close by.
Used for events or time that are imminent or right before one's eyes. Often written as 間近に迫る.
Means close in the sense of tightly connected or intimate, often used for relationships or connections. Formal.
To bring something to an end; to finish.
Intransitive verb meaning to end. Used for events, classes, work, etc.
会議は5時に終わります。
The meeting will close at 5 o'clock.
Transitive verb meaning to finish something. Used when someone actively ends an activity.
Formal verb meaning to close a meeting or ceremony. Used in official contexts.
議長が会議を閉会した。
The chairperson closed the meeting.
Specifically for closing a shop or store for the day.
この店は10時に閉店します。
This store closes at 10.
Describing a strong bond, intimacy, or likeness.
Adjective meaning close or intimate, used for friends or relationships.
彼は親しい友人です。
He is a close friend.
Phrase meaning to be on good terms, close to each other. Casual.
あの二人はとても仲がいい。
Those two are very close.
Formal adjective for close connection or relation. Often used in business or academic contexts.
この問題は経済と密接な関係がある。
This issue has a close connection to the economy.
Means 'resemble' or 'be similar'. Used when 'close' means almost the same.
その色は赤に近い。
That color is close to red.
閉める (shimeru) is used for sliding or hinged physical objects like doors and windows. 閉じる (tojiru) is used for things that fold or come together, like books, eyes, or umbrellas. 閉じる can also be used for abstract things like meetings or ceremonies, while 閉める cannot.
ドアを閉める / 本を閉じる
close the door / close the book
When talking about close relationships, use 親しい (shitashii) or 仲がいい (naka ga ii). Using 閉める would mean 'shut' and sound very strange.
✕ 彼は閉めた友達です。
He is a close friend. (incorrect)
○ 彼は親しい友達です。
He is a close friend. (correct)
その店は午後9時に閉まります。
The store closes at 9 p.m.
私たちはとても親しい友達です。
We are very close friends.
静かにドアを閉めてください。
Please close the door quietly.
Departure is close at hand.
両国は密接な関係にある。
The two countries have a close relationship.
He closed his speech.