Meaning
To move a door to a closed position.
Cultural Background
In Korea, many small businesses don't have a fixed 'closing time' on weekends; they '문을 닫다' whenever the customers stop coming. This is called 'flex-time' in a traditional sense. When a business '문을 닫다' permanently, it is common for regular customers to leave sticky notes or messages of thanks on the shutters. The sound of rolling metal shutters (셔터) is the universal sign in Seoul that a street is 'closing its doors' for the night. It's a very loud, distinct metallic sound. In traditional Hanok houses, '문을 닫다' meant sliding a paper-covered door (창호지 문). These doors didn't block sound well, so 'closing the door' was more about visual privacy than acoustic privacy.
The '을' Marker
In casual speech, just say '문 닫아'. It's faster and more natural.
Not for Meetings
Don't say '회의를 닫다'. Use '회의를 끝내다'.
Meaning
To move a door to a closed position.
The '을' Marker
In casual speech, just say '문 닫아'. It's faster and more natural.
Not for Meetings
Don't say '회의를 닫다'. Use '회의를 끝내다'.
Regular Verb Alert
Remember: 닫다 -> 닫아요 (NOT 달아요). This is a common test question!
Shutter Etiquette
If you see the metal shutters halfway down in Korea, the shop is '문을 닫다' (closing), so don't try to enter!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '문을 닫다'.
너무 추워요. 제발 ____. (Please close the door.)
The context 'too cold' requires closing the door. '닫으세요' is the polite request form.
Which sentence means the shop is going out of business permanently?
Choose the best option:
'결국' (eventually) combined with the past tense '닫았어요' strongly implies permanent closure.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 백화점이 몇 시에 ____? B: 저녁 8시에 닫아요.
The answer is in the present tense '닫아요', so the question should also be in the present tense asking about a schedule.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: '마음의 문을 닫았어요.'
'마음의 문' is a metaphor for one's heart/feelings.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
닫다 vs. Other 'Close' Verbs
Practice Bank
4 exercises너무 추워요. 제발 ____. (Please close the door.)
The context 'too cold' requires closing the door. '닫으세요' is the polite request form.
Choose the best option:
'결국' (eventually) combined with the past tense '닫았어요' strongly implies permanent closure.
A: 백화점이 몇 시에 ____? B: 저녁 8시에 닫아요.
The answer is in the present tense '닫아요', so the question should also be in the present tense asking about a schedule.
Sentence: '마음의 문을 닫았어요.'
'마음의 문' is a metaphor for one's heart/feelings.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, you can say '책을 닫다', but '책을 덮다' (to cover/fold a book) is much more common.
No, but adding '좀' (a little/please) makes it softer: '문 좀 닫아 줘'.
닫다 is just closing. 잠그다 is locking with a key or bolt.
Use '문이 닫혀 있어요' (The door is in a closed state).
Yes, it's common to say '사이트가 문을 닫았다'.
Because '닫다' is a regular verb. Only specific 'ㄷ' verbs are irregular.
문을 열다 (To open the door).
Yes, it's perfectly correct for windows.
It can, but it's a softer way of saying it than the technical term '파산'.
Yes, especially in scenes where a character's favorite neighborhood spot closes down.
No, for a zipper, use '올리다' (to pull up) or '잠그다'.
It is A1, one of the first 500 words you should learn.
Related Phrases
문을 열다
contrastTo open the door/business
문이 닫히다
specialized formThe door closes (passive)
입을 닫다
similarTo shut one's mouth
마음의 문을 닫다
specialized formTo close the door of one's heart
문을 걸어 잠그다
builds onTo lock the door
폐업하다
synonymTo go out of business
