Meaning

Primary

To Be Lit

Alternatives

To Be Ignited, To Be On, To Come On

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb.

The kanji means point, but this verb actually means to be lit or to be ignited. Think of it this way, when a flashlight turns on, it points a beam, of light.

You already learned 点ける, which is for when you turn something on. 点く, on the other hand, is an intransitive verb. That means it happens by itself. Like, "Oh look! The lights came on! That's cool ()!"

Reading

つく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

You already learned this reading when you learned 点ける but here's a mnemonic just in case:

Every time you count to two () a light comes on. How cool () that it does it all by itself!!

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 明かりが点く

    the light turns on

    電気が点く

    the light turns on

    ライトが点く

    the light turns on

Context Sentences

人が来ると、セキュリティのためのライトが点くんです。

When people come, the security lights turn on.

やっとキャンドルに火が点いて、テーブルの上は明るくなりました。

Finally the candles were lit, and the tabletop got brighter.

「アレクサ、電気を点けて」と言うと、家の全ての電気が点きます。

When I say "Alexa, turn the lights on," all the lights in the house turn on.

Kanji Composition