закрывать vs закрыть

zakryvat vs zakryt — close repeatedly/in progress vs close once

What it really means

Закрыва́ть is imperfective and describes closing as a process, a repeated task, or a regular schedule. Закры́ть is perfective and presents one closing as completed. The prefix за- gives both verbs the meaning of closing or covering; the ending changes the aspect.

Use закрывать for what is happening now or what a business does every day. Use закрыть when you want the single completed result: the door is shut, the shop has closed, or a tab has been closed.

Examples in natural speech

Я закрываю окно.
I am closing the window.
Кафе закрывает кухню в десять.
The café closes the kitchen at ten.
Закрой дверь, пожалуйста.
Close the door, please.
Она закрыла ноутбук.
She closed the laptop.
Банк уже закрылся.
The bank has already closed.

Common mistakes

Do not use закрывать for a one-time completed action just because the object is closed afterward. "Я закрыл дверь" reports the completed closing; "Я закрываю дверь" focuses on the action in progress or a routine.

Memory tip

Закрывать is the closing process; закрыть is the shut result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between закрывать and закрыть?

Закрывать is imperfective for closing as a process, habit, or schedule. Закрыть is perfective for one completed closing.

How do you say close the door in Russian?

Say "Закрой дверь" for a one-time request. "Закрывай дверь" can mean start closing it, close it regularly, or follow a repeated instruction depending on context.

What does закрыться mean?

Закрыться is the reflexive counterpart meaning close or shut itself, or become closed: "Магазин закрылся" means the shop closed.

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