Meaning and Usage
The verb 閉める (しめる) means "to close" or "to shut" something like a door, window, or store. It is a transitive verb, so it requires a direct object — something that is being closed.
Common Contexts
You often use 閉める when talking about closing doors, windows, or shops. For example, closing a door to keep out cold air or closing a store at the end of the day.
Collocations and Patterns
- ドアを閉める: to close the door
- 窓を閉める: to close the window
- 店を閉める: to close the store (business)
These phrases are very common in daily conversation.
Register and Politeness
閉める is a neutral verb and can be used in casual and polite speech. When making requests, adding ください (e.g., ドアを閉めてください) makes it polite.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 閉める (to close) with 閉まる (しまる), which is the intransitive form meaning "something closes by itself." Remember 閉める is used when someone actively closes something.