geschlossen
/ɡəˈʃlɔ.sn̩/
The English word "closed" can be translated into German as geschlossen or zu.
Meaning: not open (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| geschlossen | /ɡəˈʃlɔ.sn̩/ /ɡəˈʃlɔ.sən/ |
| zu | /t͡suː/ (standard) /t͡sə/ |
Both terms mean "not open," but they are used in different contexts. geschlossen is typically used on official signs, such as a sign on a shop door to indicate the business is not operating. zu is used to describe the state of something like a door or window being shut.
Which one should you use?
geschlossen is more formal or official, whereas zu is the more common, colloquial way to say a door or window is closed in everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
In colloquial German, the adjective zu is often used as a predicate to describe a state, for example, "Die Tür ist zu".
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈʃlɔ.sn̩/. The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word zu is a distant relative of the English words 'to' and 'too'.
- German uses the word geschlossen to describe a 'closed' society or a 'closed' circle of friends, implying exclusivity rather than just being shut.
- The word zu can act as an intensifier meaning 'too', such as in zu groß for 'too big'.
Examples in context
- Die Tür war zu.The door was closed.This sentence shows how to use zu to describe the state of a door.Tatoeba #1513768 by Manfredo, translation #2377197 by megamanenm
- War die Tür zu?Was the door closed?This sentence uses zu to ask a question about whether a door is shut.Tatoeba #2785482 by brauchinet, translation #2647366 by CK
- Lass die Tür zu.Keep the door closed.This sentence demonstrates using zu to give an instruction regarding a door.Tatoeba #7277121 by Yorwba, translation #38990 by CK
- Der Laden ist zuThe store is closed
- Der Biergarten ist dichtThe beer garden is closed
- Die Apotheke ist geschlossenThe pharmacy is closed
- Der Supermarkt hat zuThe supermarket is closed
- Das Museum ist nicht geöffnetThe museum is not open
- 485 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are standing in front of a closed cafe.
- LukasIst das Café schon geschlossen?Is the cafe closed already?
- JuliaJa, es ist leider geschlossen.Yes, it is unfortunately closed.
- LukasDas ist schade, Julia.That is a pity, Julia.
- JuliaWir können woanders hingehen.We can go somewhere else.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “closed” translations and entries geschlossen, zu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
