Meaning

Primary

To Put On

Alternative

To Wear

Word Type

transitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

Another verb for this kanji! Crazy! I know, I'm sorry. The previous ones were: 着る (to wear), 着く (to arrive), and now 着ける (to put on / to wear). At least it's similar to 着る, right? In this case, this word is like 付ける, which means "to attach." It's used for things you "attach" to your body to wear, like accessories, or a face mask. That's why this is to put on or to wear. Same sound, different kanji, similar ideas.

Reading

つける
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is the same as 着く's reading, but it might be easier to think it shares a reading with 付ける, which has a similar meaning. Put on clothes, attach on clothes, etc.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 身に着ける

    to put on

    うでに着ける

    to put on one's arm

    頭に着ける

    to put on one's head

Context Sentences

こういうイヤリング、着ける?

Do you want to wear earrings like these?

私、アクセサリーを着けるの、あんまり好きじゃないんです。

I'm not really fond of wearing accessories.

どうやって速読を身に着けたんですか?

How did you learn speed reading?

Kanji Composition