つける

verb (ichidan)

to turn on, to attach

1. to turn on, to switch on

To activate electrical devices like lights, TV, or air conditioning.

To turn on the light.

Please turn on the TV.

エアコンをつけましょうか？

Shall I turn on the air conditioner?

It's dark, so may I turn on the light?

When I wake up in the morning, I first turn on the radio and listen to the news.

2. to attach, to put on

To fasten or attach something to something else.

To give a name.

Be careful.

気をつける = to be careful

日記(にっき)をつけています。

I keep a diary.

日記をつける = to keep a diary

It was hard to give the baby a name.

The road is slippery, so please watch your step.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Pair: つく (intransitive). Pattern: Xをつける (turn on/attach X).

ASPECT: ている indicates resulting state. つけている = 'have turned on' or 'is attached.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

PAIR: つく (intransitive) - 電気(でんき)がついた (light turned on). Opposite: 消(け)す (turn off).

Related Words