On, off, open, close
Core words, Stage 4chunk 4 of 79Verbs: home and routine
Ask to switch lights and the AC on or off and to open or shut windows and doors.
- tsukeruturn on (a light, TV, AC); put on, attach
- kesuturn off (a light, TV); erase, delete
- akeruopen (a door, window, box)
- shimeruclose, shut (a door, window); close (a shop)
Mix-ups Lights and TVs take tsukeru and kesu, never akeru and shimeru.
tsukeru
polite tsukemasu
turn on (a light, TV, AC); put on, attach
Switching on: denki o tsukeru. Opposite: kesu.
ki o tsukete = take care. Also attach or apply: namae o tsukeru (give a name).
mou kurai kara, denki tsukete.
It's getting dark, turn the light on.
もう暗いから、電気つけて。
kurai node, denki o tsukete kudasai.
It's dark, so please turn on the light.
暗いので、電気をつけてください。
Written つける · つけますRank #393 in 3,030 TV dramas
kesu
polite keshimasu
turn off (a light, TV); erase, delete
Opposite of tsukeru.
Also delete: shashin o kesu. Something going out by itself is kieru.
neru kara denki keshite.
I'm going to bed, turn off the light.
寝るから電気消して。
neru node denki o keshite kudasai.
I'm going to sleep, so please turn off the light.
寝るので電気を消してください。
Written 消す · けす · 消しますRank #964 in 3,030 TV dramas
akeru
polite akemasu
open (a door, window, box)
You open something; something opening by itself is aku.
Opposite: shimeru (close).
atsui ne. mado akete ii?
It's hot. Mind if I open the window?
暑いね。窓開けていい？
atsui desu ne. mado o akete mo ii desu ka?
It's hot, isn't it. May I open the window?
暑いですね。窓を開けてもいいですか？
Written 開ける · あける · 開けますRank #480 in 3,030 TV dramas
shimeru
polite shimemasu
close, shut (a door, window); close (a shop)
You close something; something closing by itself is shimaru.
Opposite: akeru. 締める shimeru, same sound, is fasten or tighten (a seatbelt, a tie).
samui kara mado shimete.
It's cold, shut the window.
寒いから窓閉めて。
samui node mado o shimete kudasai.
It's cold, so please close the window.
寒いので窓を閉めてください。
Written 閉める · しめる · 閉めますRank #1764 in 3,030 TV dramas