close

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is へい, and the kun readings are とじる, とざす, しめる, and しまる. It has 11 strokes. It appears in words for closing something and something closing.
• Basic usage: 閉める is read しめる and 閉まる is read しまる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 閉める / 閉まる
  • 閉める means close or shut and is read しめる. It describes a person closing a window or shop.
  • 雨が吹き込んできたので、急いで窓を閉めた。 means “Rain blew in, so I hurried to close the window.”
  • 閉まる means to close or to shut and is read しまる. It describes a window or gate closing.
  • 風で窓が急に閉まった。 means “The window suddenly slammed shut in the wind.”