1.
to notice, to become aware of
To perceive something one hadn't noticed before.
間違いに気付いた。
I noticed the mistake.
誰も気付かなかった。
Nobody noticed.
彼女は変化に気付いた。
She noticed the change.
2.
to realize, to recognize
To become conscious of a fact or situation.
大切さに気付く。
To realize the importance.
自分の間違いに気付いた。
I realized my own mistake.
大人になって親のありがたさに気付いた。
As an adult, I realized how grateful I should be to my parents.
気付く is a godan verb meaning to notice or realize something.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 自動詞 (intransitive)
PARTICLE PATTERN:
- Xに気付く: to notice X, to become aware of X
ASPECT (ている):
気付いている indicates a state of awareness: 彼は気付いている (He is aware / He has noticed).
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 間違いに気付く: to notice a mistake
- 変化に気付く: to notice a change
- 大切さに気付く: to realize the importance
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 気がつく: alternative phrasing, same meaning
- 気付き: realization (noun form)
DON'T CONFUSE:
- 気付く (きづく): to notice
- 築く (きずく): to build, construct