締め切り

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 締め切り(しめきり) is the set point at which acceptance of applications, submissions, or similar items closes.
• Basic usage: It is used to state that the final day for applications is this Friday.
  • 応募の締め切りは今週の金曜日です。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Time limits and submission deadlines
  • 期限(きげん) broadly covers time limits, including validity periods and deadlines for fulfilling obligations. 締め切り focuses especially on the closing point for recruitment, applications, or submissions.