Learn 閉 in words for closing and for things that are closed.
The idea
閉 has 11 strokes. Follow the linked diagram. 閉める（しめる）means to close something; 閉まる（しまる）means something closes. 閉店（へいてん）means a shop closing.
| Word | Reading | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 閉める | しめる | I close the window. |
| 閉まる | しまる | The door is closed. |
| 閉店 | へいてん | The shop closes at eight. |
| 閉じる | とじる | Please close the book. |
Examples
- 窓を閉めます。I close the window.
- ドアが閉まっています。The door is closed.
- 本を閉じてください。Please close the book.
- 店は八時に閉店します。The shop closes at eight.
- 図書館は今日は閉まっています。The library is closed today.
- ドアが静かに閉まりました。The door closed quietly.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not interchange 閉める and 閉まる: use を for the thing someone closes and が for the thing that closes. 開 is the opposite character, meaning open.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 閉める in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
しめる
閉める is しめる: someone closes something, as in 窓を閉めます.
Write the reading of 閉店 in hiragana.
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へいてん
閉店 is へいてん: it refers to a shop closing, as in 八時に閉店します.
Choose the missing kanji: ドアが＿まります。［閉／開］
Show answer or example answer
閉
閉 completes 閉まります: the door closes. 開 would express opening.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 閉める in hiragana.
Write the reading of 閉店 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ドアが＿まります。［閉／開］
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 閉 using the stroke diagram, then describe a door closing and someone closing a window.