閉める

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 閉める, read しめる, is a verb for closing something such as a door or window.
• Basic usage: In 雨が吹き込んできたので、急いで窓を閉めた。, the speaker hurriedly closed the window because rain was blowing in.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Closing and becoming closed
  • 窓を閉める describes closing a window; 窓が閉まる describes the window becoming closed. 閉まる is read しまる.
• Homophone 締める
  • 締める is also read しめる, but is used for tightening something such as a cord or belt. Distinguish its spelling from 閉める for shutting doors and windows.