Translation guide
The English phrase "closing down" can refer to a business permanently ceasing operations, a temporary shutdown, or the act of shutting something. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these situations.
To say that a shop, company, or organization is going out of business permanently.
Literally 'close store'. The most common and neutral way to say a shop or restaurant is closing down permanently.
あの店は来月閉店するそうです。
I heard that store is closing down next month.
Means 'to go out of business' or 'to discontinue a business'. Used for companies or self-employed people ceasing operations entirely.
経営難で廃業することになりました。
We had to close down due to financial difficulties.
Specifically means 'to go bankrupt'. Use when the closure is due to insolvency.
その会社は倒産した。
That company went bankrupt (closed down).
A colloquial expression meaning 'to close up shop', often implying permanent closure. Literally 'to fold up the shop'.
長年続けた店をたたむのはつらい。
It's hard to close down a shop you've run for years.
To say that a business or facility is closing for the day or for a temporary period.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to close/shut'. Used for shops, doors, etc. For a shop closing at the end of the day, this is the most natural choice.
この店は何時に閉まりますか。
What time does this shop close?
もう閉まっている。
It's already closed.
Can also be used for the daily closing of a shop, though it can imply permanence. Context clarifies.
本日の営業は閉店しました。
We have closed for today.
Means 'to suspend business' or 'to be closed for a period'. Used for temporary closures like holidays or renovations.
明日は休業します。
We will be closed tomorrow.
To turn off or terminate the operation of a computer, machine, or system.
Direct loanword from English 'shut down'. Commonly used for computers and electronic devices.
パソコンをシャットダウンしてください。
Please shut down the computer.
Literally 'cut the power'. A general way to say turn off a device.
終わったら電源を切ってください。
Please shut it down when you're done.
To bring an activity, event, or operation to an end.
Means 'to end' or 'to terminate'. Formal and suitable for events, operations, or services.
イベントは午後5時に終了します。
The event will close down at 5 PM.
Literally 'to close the curtain'. A metaphorical expression for bringing something to a close, often used for long-running events or eras.
長い歴史に幕を閉じた。
It closed down its long history.
閉店する (heiten suru) is a transitive verb phrase meaning 'to close a shop' (the owner/manager closes it). 閉まる (shimaru) is intransitive, meaning 'to be closed' (the shop is closed). For daily closing, 閉まる is more common in casual speech, while 閉店する is often used in announcements.
The English 'closing down' can sound like 'moving downwards' if translated literally. Do not use 下に閉じる or similar. Stick to the expressions above.