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道Nihongo Path
閉

閉·close, shut

On-yomi
ヘイ
Kun-yomi
しめるしまるとじる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

11 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
閉めるしめるto close (a door, a shop)
閉まるしまるto be closed, to shut
閉じるとじるto close (a book, eyes)
閉店へいてんclosing (of a shop)

Example sentences

  1. 寒いので窓を閉めてください。

    さむいのでまどをしめてください。

    It's cold, so please close the window.

  2. この店は八時に閉まります。

    このみせははちじにしまります。

    This shop closes at eight.

  3. 目を閉じて、静かに音楽を聞いた。

    めをとじて、しずかにおんがくをきいた。

    I closed my eyes and listened to the music quietly.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up 閉める (I close it) with 閉まる (it closes)
  • Using 閉める for a book — books and eyes take 閉じる

Memory aid

Picture it

A gate (門) with a bar (才) wedged across it — nothing is getting through.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 閉 mean?