Japanese word

つける

Pronunciation

Romajitsukeru

Meaning

  • verbturn on

Example

電気をつけます。den ki o tsu ke ma su

I turn on the light.

Illustration for つける (turn on)

More examples

部屋の電気をつけます。heya no den ki o tsu ke ma su

I turn on the light in the room.

暑いので、エアコンをつけます。atsu i no de e a ko n o tsu ke ma su

Since it is hot, I turn on the air conditioner.

Core concept

Centers on bringing something into contact with a target or bringing a function into operation.

Common phrases

  • 電気をつけるden ki o tsu ke ru

    turn on the light

  • テレビをつけるte re bi o tsu ke ru

    turn on the television

  • エアコンをつけるe a ko n o tsu ke ru

    turn on the air conditioner

Similar words

入れるireru: To supply power to a device so that it starts operating.
動かすugokasu: To make a machine or device begin operating.

Definition in Japanese

物を何かに接触させたり、機器などを作動させたりする。mono o nan ka ni ses shoku sa se ta ri ki ki na do o sa dō sa se ta ri su ru

Word origin

つける (tsukeru) is a native Japanese verb formed as the transitive counterpart of 付く (tsuku, "to become attached"); 点ける (tsukeru, "to light") represents its use for activating a light.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, つける (tsukeru) can describe switching on a light or attaching a label, so the object and context show which action is meant.

Other meanings

  • attachverb
  • applyverb

Opposites

Related words

  • つけ方tsukekataway to turn onnoun

Word lists with this word