“To close” in Japanese is 閉める (しめる), pronounced shimeru.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To close something. Its pair for things closing by themselves is 閉まる: ドアが閉まります, the doors are closing.
Example sentences
- ドアを閉めてください。ドアをしめてください。Please close the door.
- 店は八時に閉まります。みせははちじにしまります。The shop closes at eight.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 閉める. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 閉める しめる | close |
| Polite present | 閉めます しめます | close |
| Polite negative | 閉めません しめません | don’t close |
| Polite past | 閉めました しめました | past of “close” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 閉めない しめない | don’t close (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 閉めた しめた | past of “close” (casual) |
| て-form | 閉めて しめて | close and… / please close (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 閉めたい しめたい | want to close |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to close in Japanese?
To close in Japanese is 閉める (しめる), pronounced “shimeru”.
How do you write to close in Japanese?
It's written 閉める with kanji, or しめる in hiragana. Both are read shimeru.
Is 閉める on the JLPT?
Yes. 閉める (shimeru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.