Japanese word of the day: 閉じる (Tojiru)

What does 閉じる (Tojiru) mean?

閉じる (tojiru) is a る-verb meaning “to close” or “to shut”—but it’s typically used for things like books, eyes, meetings, or digital windows, rather than physical doors or windows. It’s a very handy verb for learners, especially in school, work, and tech contexts.

Kanji details for 閉

Character: 閉 — closed, shut
Radical: gate 門

Example sentences with 閉じる (Tojiru)

• 本を閉じてください。
  (Hon o tojite kudasai.)
  📖 Please close your book.

• 目を閉じてください。
  (Me o tojite kudasai.)
  😌 Please close your eyes.

• 会議が閉じられました。
  (Kaigi ga tojiraremashita.)
  📝 The meeting was closed.

Confused about how to conjugate 閉じる (Tojiru)?
Our conjugation tables can help.

閉じる (Tojiru) in context

閉じる is different from 閉める (しめる, shimeru), which is used for closing physical things like doors and windows. Use 閉じる for closing books, shutting your eyes, ending meetings, or even closing tabs and apps on your computer. It’s a common verb in classrooms, offices, and digital life.

A quick tip: The te-form, 閉じて (tojite), is often used in instructions—like “閉じてください” (please close [it]).

Whether you’re finishing a chapter, ending a meeting, or just taking a moment to rest your eyes, 閉じる is the word you’ll need for “closing” in Japanese beyond just doors.