1.
to fold, to fold up
To bend something flat.
傘を畳む。
To fold an umbrella.
洗濯物を畳む。
To fold laundry.
布団を畳む。
To fold up a futon.
2.
to close, to shut down (business)
To end a business or activity.
店を畳む。
To close down a shop.
会社を畳む決断をした。
I made the decision to shut down the company.
商売を畳んで田舎に帰った。
I closed the business and returned to the countryside.
畳む is a godan verb with two distinct meanings: to fold flat objects, and to close/shut down a business.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を particle
SENSE 1 - TO FOLD:
- 傘を畳む: to close/fold an umbrella
- 布団を畳む: to fold up a futon
- 洗濯物を畳む: to fold laundry
- 服を畳む: to fold clothes
- 地図を畳む: to fold a map
SENSE 2 - TO CLOSE (business):
- 店を畳む: to close down a shop
- 会社を畳む: to shut down a company
- 商売を畳む: to close a business
KANJI NOTE:
The kanji 畳 is the same as 畳 (tatami mat), reflecting the folding/layering nature of traditional Japanese flooring.