I’m needing some assistance you wonderful people. I came across a new word, とじる in anki just now. It said it means “to shut”. Instantly I though of しめる and now I’m super comfused. Now I’m questioning my use of しめる.
I have tried googling this for an answer but everyone just gives examples with unsure context. No one is really able to explain why each is used in each situation. If one of you smart people can give me some examples on とじる while explaining why it’s that and not しめる then I’d be greatful.
5 comments
The way I understand it is that shimeru is to close something that has an opening with a certain function while open, such as a door, window or jar. Tojiru is a more general close that applies other things like books.
Mouth, eyes and umbrellas (close, fold up) would be 閉じる。Closing down a business (permanently, not for the day) would also be 閉じる。
閉める is used for doors, windows and general usage. They’re very similar and Japanese explanations don’t go much further either.
Maybe think of しめる as “close” (for windows, doors etc) and とじる as “shut” (for eyes, mouth, etc). Obviously not a perfect translation, but as in English, they’re both very similar words, only with tiny nuance differences. The meaning will still be understood whichever one you use though!
“Shut” vs “close”
You shut a door but close a book.
You shut a window, but close a drawer.
It’s something about there being a function or latching or blocking a way, vs returning something to an at-rest state. Or fastening closed vs simply refolding.
Windows have “shutters” not “closers.”
Lot of similar yet differing answers here, but in general 閉める will be used in situations that if air were to get through (or left in a state that it could) a problem could occur, as well as something that blocks air or people from going through. The link is Japanese, but it’s explained [here.](http://nihongo24.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-8.html)