Japanese Conversation · Level 19
90 words
Japanese word
気づく
Pronunciation
Romajikizuku
Meaning
- verbnotice
Example
私は間違いに気づきました。watashi wa ma chiga i ni ki zu ki ma shi ta
I noticed the mistake.
More examples
彼は駅に着いてから、財布を忘れたことに気づきました。kare wa eki ni tsu i te ka ra sai fu o wasu re ta ko to ni ki zu ki ma shi ta
He noticed that he had forgotten his wallet after arriving at the station.
Core concept
Shows awareness turning toward something that was previously unnoticed.
Common phrases
間違いに気づくma chiga i ni ki zu ku
notice a mistake
違いに気づくchiga i ni ki zu ku
notice a difference
変化に気づくhen ka ni ki zu ku
notice a change
Similar words
認識するninshikisuru: To recognize something clearly as a fact, condition, or object.
察知するsatchisuru: To detect a situation or change from signs before it becomes fully clear.
悟るsatoru: To understand a fact or meaning after thinking about it deeply.
察するsassuru: To infer a situation or feeling from signs without being told directly.
Definition in Japanese
それまで意識していなかった物事を知覚し、認識する。so re ma de i shiki shi te i na ka tta mono goto o chi kaku shi nin shiki su ru
Word origin
The verb 気づく (kizuku) combines 気 (ki, "mind or awareness") with 付く (tsuku, "to attach"), suggesting that awareness becomes attached to something.
Usage tips
- In conversational Japanese, 気づく (kizuku) commonly marks the thing noticed with に (ni), as in 間違いに気づく (machigai ni kizuku), unlike English notice, which takes a direct object.