Japanese word

閉ざす

Pronunciation

Romajitozasu

Meaning

  • verbclose off

Example

国は国境を閉ざします。kuni wa kok kyō o to za shi ma su

The country closes its borders.

Illustration for 閉ざす (close off)

More examples

彼は周囲の忠告に耳を閉ざしてしまいました。kare wa shū i no chū koku ni mimi o to za shi te shi ma i ma shi ta

He shut his ears to the advice from those around him.

Core concept

It describes deliberately blocking access or contact so that something remains separated from the outside.

Common phrases

  • 心を閉ざすkokoro o to za su

    close one's heart

  • 門戸を閉ざすmon ko o to za su

    close one's doors

  • 国境を閉ざすkok kyō o to za su

    close the border

Similar words

閉じるtojiru: To cause an opening, space, or passage to become closed.
遮断するshadansuru: To cut off a connection, flow, or means of contact between two sides.
閉鎖するheisasuru: To close a facility, business, or route so that it no longer operates or admits people.
閉め切るshimekiru: To keep all doors, windows, or other openings fully closed.

Definition in Japanese

出入り口や境界などをふさいで、内外の行き来をできないようにすること。de i ri kuchi ya kyō kai na do o fu sa i de nai gai no i ki ki o de ki na i yō ni su ru ko to

Word origin

The native verb 閉ざす (tozasu) is formed from 閉づ (tozu, "close") and the suffix す (su), which makes the form transitive.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 心を閉ざす (kokoro o tozasu) describes emotional withdrawal rather than a physical barrier.

Other meanings

  • shutverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word