締
tighten, tie, shut, lock, fasten
Readings
On'yomi
- テイ
Kun'yomi
- し.まる
- し.まり
- し.める
- -し.め
- -じ.め
Meaning
締 centers on pulling something closed so it stays secure: tightening a knot, tying a string, shutting a door, locking a container, or fastening a belt. All its meanings share the idea of making something firm and closed by applying tension.
Most common words using 締
20 of 124- 取締役とりしまりやくN1
company director; board member
- 締めるしめるN5
to tie; to fasten; to tighten
- 締結ていけつ
conclusion; execution (of a contract); entering (into treaty)
- 締め切りしめきりN3
deadline; closing; cut-off
- 締めしめ
tying up; binding; fastening; tightening
- 取り締まりとりしまりN2
control; management; supervision
- 締め付けしめつけ
pressure; clamping; tightening; fastening
- 引き締めひきしめN1
tightening
- 取り締まるとりしまるN2
to manage; to control; to supervise; to oversee; to command
- 締まりしまり
closing (properly); shutting
- 元締めもとじめ
manager; controller; administrator
- 締め出ししめだし
shutout; shutting out; lock-out; freeze-out
- 締めくくりしめくくり
conclusion; end; finish; settlement; summary; summing up; rounding off
- 締めくくるしめくくる
to bring to a finish
- 締約ていやく
conclusion of a treaty
- 引き締まるひきしまるN1
to become tense; to be tightened; to become firm (e.g. body)
- 引き締めるひきしめるN1
to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
- 締め付けるしめつける
to tighten; to fasten tight; to constrict; to compress
- 戸締まりとじまりN1
locking up (doors and windows); fastening the doors
- 締め出すしめだす
to shut out; to bar; to lock out; to exclude
Study
Etymology
締 combines 糸 (thread) with 帝, which likely contributes the sound テイ and the idea of binding or tying tightly. The thread radical reinforces the action of fastening with cord or string.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is thread 糸, and the right side 帝 looks like a crown or a tight cap. Imagine pulling a thread tightly around a crown to fasten it in place: 締 means to tighten, tie, or lock something securely.
Reading mnemonic
For テイ, picture a tailor tightening a thread around a hem and saying 'Tight!' with a slight accent: 'Tayt!' The sound 'Tayt' cues テイ while the thread 糸 pulls everything tight.