Translation guide
How to express 'fasten' in Japanese depends on what you are fastening. Common actions include securing with a belt, tying, buttoning, locking, or attaching. The most natural choice varies by object and method.
To secure a seatbelt in a vehicle or airplane.
The standard way to say 'fasten your seatbelt'. 締める means to tighten or fasten.
シートベルトをお締めください。
Please fasten your seatbelt.
A more casual way to say 'put on your seatbelt'. する is a general verb for 'do', but here it means 'put on'.
車に乗ったら、シートベルトをしてね。
Fasten your seatbelt when you get in the car.
To secure something using a buckle, clasp, hook, or similar fastener.
General verb for fastening with a clasp, buckle, pin, etc. Can be used for belts, bags, buttons, hair clips, etc.
バックルの留め方がわからない。
I don't know how to fasten the buckle.
ヘルメットのあごひもを留めてください。
Please fasten the chin strap of your helmet.
Used when fastening involves tightening, like a belt or a strap. Often interchangeable with 留める for belts.
Used for fastening a hook or latch, like a chain lock on a door.
To close clothing or other items using buttons.
The standard way to say 'fasten a button'. 留める is used for buttons, snaps, etc.
コートのボタンを留めて。
Fasten your coat buttons.
Also common for fastening buttons, especially in casual speech.
シャツのボタンをかける。
Fasten the shirt buttons.
To close something using a zipper.
The most common way to say 'fasten a zipper'. 閉める means to close.
バッグのファスナーを閉めてください。
Please fasten the zipper of the bag.
チャック is a common colloquial term for zipper. Used in casual contexts.
ズボンのチャックを閉めなさい。
Fasten your pants zipper.
To secure something by tying, such as shoelaces, strings, or ropes.
To secure something with a lock and key or combination.
To lock, to fasten with a key. The standard phrase for locking doors, lockers, etc.
ドアに鍵をかける。
Fasten the door with a lock.
Formal term for locking, often used in written instructions or official contexts.
外出時は必ず施錠してください。
Please be sure to fasten the lock when you go out.
To attach one thing to another, often with screws, clips, or adhesive.
To attach, install, or fasten something to a surface or object. Used for shelves, parts, etc.
棚を壁に取り付ける。
Fasten a shelf to the wall.
To fix, secure, or fasten in place. Often used in technical contexts.
ネジで部品を固定する。
Fasten the parts with screws.
To fasten with a fastener (generic). 留め具 means fastener (clip, clasp, etc.).
書類を留め具で留める。
Fasten the documents with a clip.
留める (とめる) is for fastening with a clasp, buckle, button, or pin. 締める (しめる) is for tightening something like a belt or strap. 結ぶ (むすぶ) is for tying with string or laces. Choose based on the action.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all meanings of 'fasten'. Using a generic verb like 固定する for clothing will sound unnatural. Always match the verb to the object and method.
Fasten a belt.
Fasten the door chain.
Fasten the luggage with rope.