Readings: テイ (Onyomi), し.める, し.まる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: tighten, tie, shut, make fast, secure, bind, contract
形声文字 (Phono-semantic character). Formed from 糸 (thread), indicating tying or binding, and 帝 (emperor/ruler), which provides the sound and hints at control or tightening.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 締 has 14 strokes. Begin with the radical 糸 (itohen) on the left, writing it from top to bottom. Then proceed to the right component (帝), starting with the top horizontal stroke, then the vertical, and completing the rest of the character in the standard order.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 糸 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- テイ (Tei)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- しめる (shimeru)
- しまる (shimaru)
Common Words Using 締
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 締結 | ていけつ | conclusion (of a contract/agreement) |
| 締約 | ていやく | conclusion of a contract, contracting |
| 締盟 | ていめい | forming an alliance, concluding a treaty |
| 締約国 | ていやくこく | contracting state, signatory country |
| 締盟国 | ていめいこく | allied nation, treaty nation |
| 締結式 | ていけつしき | signing ceremony |
| 締約当事者 | ていやくとうじしゃ | contracting party |
| 締結権 | ていけつけん | right to conclude (a treaty) |
| 締約書 | ていやくしょ | written contract |
| 締結権者 | ていけつけんしゃ | person with the right to conclude (a treaty) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 締める | しめる | to tie, to fasten, to tighten |
| 締まる | しまる | to be tightened, to be closed (e.g., wallet) |
| 締め切り | しめきり | deadline, closing date |
| 締め切る | しめきる | to close, to shut off, to put a deadline on |
| 締め付ける | しめつける | to tighten, to fasten tightly, to oppress |
| 締め出す | しめだす | to lock out, to shut out |
| 締め括る | しめくくる | to bring to a close, to summarize |
| 引き締める | ひきしめる | to tighten, to brace (oneself), to pull oneself together |
| 身が締まる | みがしまる | to become toned/firm (body), to feel tense/serious |
| 締め高 | しめだか | total amount, balance (as in closing balance) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 契約を締結する。
Kana: けいやくをていけつする。
Romaji: Keiyaku o teiketsu suru.
English: To conclude a contract.
Japanese: ベルトをしっかり締めてください。
Kana: ベルトをしっかりしめてください。
Romaji: Beruto o shikkari shimete kudasai.
English: Please tighten your belt firmly.
Japanese: 財布のひもが締まっている。
Kana: さいふのひもがしまっている。
Romaji: Saifu no himo ga shimatteiru.
English: The purse strings are tight (i.e., someone is frugal).
Japanese: 申し込み締め切りは明日です。
Kana: もうしこみしめきりはあしたです。
Romaji: Moushikomi shimekiri wa ashita desu.
English: The application deadline is tomorrow.
Japanese: 今日の仕事を締め括る。
Kana: きょうのしごとをしめくくる。
Romaji: Kyou no shigoto o shimekukuru.
English: To conclude today’s work.
Japanese: 彼はネクタイを締め直した。
Kana: かれはネクタイをしめなおした。
Romaji: Kare wa nekutai o shimenaoshita.
English: He re-tightened his tie.
Japanese: このドアはしっかりと締まっている。
Kana: このドアはしっかりとしまっている。
Romaji: Kono doa wa shikkari to shimatteiru.
English: This door is tightly shut.
Japanese: 気が引き締まる思いだ。
Kana: きがひきしまるおもいだ。
Romaji: Ki ga hikishimaru omoi da.
English: I feel braced/on edge (due to a serious atmosphere).
Japanese: 会議は無事に締結されました。
Kana: かいぎはぶじにていけつされました。
Romaji: Kaigi wa buji ni teiketsu saremashita.
English: The conference was successfully concluded.
Japanese: 冷たい風が窓の隙間から体を締め付ける。
Kana: つめたいかぜがまどのすきまからからだをしめつける。
Romaji: Tsumetai kaze ga mado no sukima kara karada o shimetsukeru.
English: The cold wind from the window gap tightens around my body.
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