閉とざす

と

ざ

す

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 20,000

閉ざす · godan verb (-su)

Meanings

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

Physical act of closing something firmly, such as a door, gate, or lid. Often implies a tight or secure closure.

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

block; close off

Used for blocking a passage, entrance, or road, often by an obstacle or barrier.

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

Usually used in the passive voice. Describes being isolated or enveloped by natural elements like snow, ice, or darkness.

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

consume with; fill with; bury in

Usually used in the passive voice. Describes being overwhelmed or consumed by negative emotions such as sadness or grief.

〈場ば所しょ〉を閉とざすto close off a place (e.g. a border or road)
政せい府ふは国こっ境きょうを閉とざした。
The government closed the border.
〈物もの〉に閉とざされるto be shut in or covered by something (snow, fog, darkness, etc.)
山やま小ご屋やは深ふかい雪ゆきに閉とざされていた。
The mountain hut was completely snowed in.
心こころを閉とざすto shut oneself off emotionally; to close one's heart
彼かれは失しつ恋れんしてから心こころを閉とざしてしまった。
After his heartbreak, he closed himself off emotionally.

閉しめるN5sense 1
閉める is the common everyday word for closing a door or window, while 閉ざす implies a firmer, more complete, or more figurative closure.
塞ふさぐN2sense 2
塞ぐ means to block or plug a hole or opening, while 閉ざす focuses on closing off an entrance or passage, often with a sense of isolation.
閉とじるN3sense 1
閉じる is the neutral word for closing things like books, eyes, or meetings, while 閉ざす is more literary and often carries a nuance of firm or emotionally isolating closure.

開あけるN5sense 1
開ける means to open something, the direct opposite of 閉ざす's sense of firmly closing something.

閉とざすUsage90%
Standard kanji spelling for all senses.
とざすUsage9%
鎖とざすUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; 閉ざす is strongly preferred.

The verb developed from 戸を刺す, “to fasten a door,” with 刺す used in the older sense of closing or securing something.