締める
しめる
to tie, to fasten, to tighten
Shimeru (締める) is an ichidan verb meaning "to tie, to fasten, to tighten". Its polite form is 締めます (shimemasu), its te form is 締めて (shimete), its past form is 締めた (shimeta), and its negative form is 締めない (shimenai).
Ichidan verbJLPT N5
Shimeru (締める) conjugation quick reference
締める means "to tie, to fasten, to tighten". Its main forms are listed below, with links to the grammar pattern behind each form.
Shimeru example sentences
ベルトをしめます。
I fasten my belt.
くつひもをしめました。
I tied my shoelaces.
ネクタイをしめません。
I don’t wear a tie.
How to use Shimeru: grammar notes
•締める usually uses the particle を because you're tightening or fastening something — for example, シートベルトを締める (to fasten a seatbelt).
•Don’t confuse 締める with 閉める (also read しめる); 締める is for things like belts or lids, while 閉める is for closing doors or windows.
•You can use 締めてください to politely ask someone to tighten or fasten something — just be sure the context is clear so they know what to tighten!
•JLPT N5 level
Common phrases with Shimeru
ベルトを締める
to fasten/tighten a belt
ネクタイを締める
to tie a necktie
気を引き締める
to brace oneself / to stay focused
Shimeru (締める) conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Forms | ||
| Dictionary Form | 締める | shimeru |
| Masu Form | 締めます | shimemasu |
| Te Form | 締めて | shimete |
| Past Form | 締めた | shimeta |
| Negative Form | 締めない | shimenai |
| Past Negative | 締めなかった | shimenakatta |
| Polite Forms | ||
| Polite Present | 締めます | shimemasu |
| Polite Past | 締めました | shimemashita |
| Polite Negative | 締めません | shimemasen |
| Polite Past Negative | 締めませんでした | shimemasendeshita |
| Advanced Forms | ||
| Potential Form | 締められる | shimerareru |
| Passive Form | 締められる | shimerareru |
| Causative Form | 締めさせる | shimesaseru |
| Causative Passive | 締めさせられる | shimesaserareru |
| Volitional Form | 締めよう | shimeyou |
| Imperative Form | 締めろ | shimero |
| Conditional Forms | ||
| Conditional (ば) | 締めれば | shimereba |
| Conditional (たら) | 締めたら | shimetara |
| Other Forms | ||
| Progressive Form | 締めている | shimeteiru |
| Desire (たい) | 締めたい | shimetai |
| Prohibition | 締めるな | shimeruna |