閉じる

• Reading: とじる
• Romaji: tojiru
• Kanji breakdown: 閉 (hei/to) — close, shut
• Pronunciation: /to.dʑi.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To close; to shut. Used for closing books, eyes, doors, or applications.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb that functions as both transitive and intransitive (閉じない, 閉じます). Commonly used for closing books (本を閉じる), eyes (目を閉じる), files or apps (ファイルを閉じる), and figuratively for concluding something (幕を閉じる, to bring to a close). More literary than 閉める for physical doors.

Examples

1. 先生が教科書を閉じるように言った。 The teacher told us to close our textbooks.
2. 疲れたので目を閉じて少し休んだ。 I was tired, so I closed my eyes and rested for a bit.
3. パソコンのアプリを全部閉じてください。 Please close all the apps on your computer.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, computers, literature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 閉 combines 門 (gate) and 才 (a closing bar), literally depicting a gate being barred shut.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal