Japanese word

なつく

Pronunciation

Romajinatsuku

Meaning

  • verbtake to

Example

子どもが新しい先生になつきます。ko do mo ga atara shi i sen sei ni na tsu ki ma su

The child takes to the new teacher.

Illustration for なつく (take to)

More examples

保護した子猫が、数日で私たちになつきました。ho go shi ta ko neko ga sū jitsu de watashi ta chi ni na tsu ki ma shi ta

The rescued kitten took to us within a few days.

Core concept

Expresses the process of growing comfortable with and attached to a person through familiarity and trust.

Common phrases

  • 人になつくhito ni na tsu ku

    take to people

  • 飼い主になつくka i nushi ni na tsu ku

    take to one's owner

Similar words

打ち解けるuchitokeru: To become relaxed and open with a person after initial reserve.
慣れるnareru: To become accustomed to a person through repeated contact.
親しむshitashimu: To develop a close and familiar relationship with a person or group.

Definition in Japanese

人や動物が、相手に慣れて親しみを感じ、心を寄せること。hito ya dō butsu ga ai te ni na re te shita shi mi o kan ji kokoro o yo se ru ko to

Word origin

なつく (natsuku, "to take to someone") is generally treated as a native Japanese verb rather than a loanword, and 懐く (natsuku) is its established kanji spelling; its exact origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese verb なつく (natsuku) commonly applies to children and animals, while English take to can also describe liking a hobby, place, or activity.

Other meanings

  • become tameverb
  • become attached toverb

Related words

  • なつきnatsukiattachmentnoun

Word lists with this word