ichidan verb, transitive verb
Broad physical sense: tie a string, fasten a belt, tighten a screw, etc. Antonym: 緩める.
Antonyms: 緩める
靴ひもをしっかり締めてください。
Please tie your shoelaces tightly.
Tighten the screw.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Used for putting on items that are fastened, such as a necktie, belt, or obi.
彼は毎朝ネクタイを締める。
He puts on a necktie every morning.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Used for adding up numbers, especially in accounting or when closing a bill. Also written 〆る.
See also: 〆る (しめる)
月末に経費を締める。
We total up the expenses at the end of the month.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
be strict with; tighten discipline
Used for tightening rules, discipline, or control over people. Also written 緊める.
See also: 緊める (しめる)
先生は遅刻に厳しく締める。
The teacher is strict about tardiness.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
economize; cut down on; tighten one's belt
Used for reducing expenses or consumption, often in the phrase 財布のひもを締める.
家計を締めるために外食を減らした。
We cut down on eating out to economize.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
kill (fish, poultry); crack down on; press hard
Two related colloquial uses: (1) to kill or dispatch an animal for food, often by bleeding; (2) to put strong pressure on someone, crack down, or keep under strict control. The latter is often written シメる.