Japanese word

つく

Pronunciation

Romajitsuku

Meaning

  • verbcome on

Example

部屋の電気がつきます。heya no den ki ga tsu ki ma su

The room light comes on.

Illustration for つく (come on)

More examples

ボタンを押すと、電気がつきます。bo ta n o o su to den ki ga tsu ki ma su

When I press the button, the light comes on.

人が通ると、廊下の電気がつきます。hito ga tō ru to rō ka no den ki ga tsu ki ma su

When someone walks by, the hall light comes on.

Core concept

Describes the point when a light starts shining or a fire starts burning.

Common phrases

  • 電気がつくden ki ga tsu ku

    the light comes on

  • 火がつくhi ga tsu ku

    a fire catches

Similar words

点灯するtentōsuru: To start shining after being switched on.

Definition in Japanese

電気器具の明かりや火が、消えた状態から働き始め、明るくなったり燃えたりすること。den ki ki gu no a ka ri ya hi ga ki e ta jō tai ka ra hatara ki haji me aka ru ku na tta ri mo e ta ri su ru ko to

Word origin

つく (tsuku, "come on") is a native Japanese verb, while 点く (tsuku) is a meaning-based kanji spelling used for lights and fires; the verb is not derived from 点 (ten, "point").

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use turn on for the action that makes a light work, but つく (tsuku) describes the light itself coming on, which makes it an intransitive verb.

Other meanings

  • be litverb
  • catch fireverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word