The Meaning of tsukeru [付ける] In Japanese

付ける
つける
Romaji: tsukeru N5

What does 付ける mean?

Translation and Meaning

to attach, to apply, to put on

Definition

What does 付ける mean? It means to attach or affix something to another object, or to apply, add, or set something in place; the action of putting on or applying something for a function, adornment, or labeling.

Type

verb (ichidan, ru-verb) (動詞, 一段動詞 / る-ending)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to attach or affix something to another object
  • to apply or put on something like sauce, makeup, or a label
  • to add or assign a feature or accessory to something
  • to put on or wear an item in some contexts

Etymology

つく → つける via the transitive suffix -eru; this pattern creates a transitive verb from an intransitive base, reflecting a common morpho-phonetic shift in Japanese verb formation.

Composition

  • 付: to attach, to affix
  • ける: verb-forming kana suffix turning the kanji into a transitive verb

Usage

Used as a transitive verb with a direct object marked by を, indicating the action of attaching, applying, or adding to the object. It spans everyday casual speech and formal writing; in compounds it expands to meanings like install, equip, or set a feature. Examples of typical usage include naming, labeling, affixing parts or accessories, applying substances, and activating features in software or devices.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine you are fixing something to another object—if you want to remember tsukeru, link the sound to the action of ‘tying’ or ‘attaching’ something to something else.

Variations

  • 貼る (はる, haru) — to paste, to stick
  • 取り付ける (とりつける, toritsukeru) — to install or mount
  • 着ける (つける, tsukeru) — to put on/display on the body or surface in some contexts
  • 名前を付ける (なまえをつける, namae o tsukeru) — to give a name

Words with the same Kanji

Example Phrases

  • 新しい ノート に 名前 を 付ける と 便利 だ。
    Atarashii nooto ni namae o tsukeru to benri da.
    It’s convenient to put a name on a new notebook.
    Lista:
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • ノート (nooto) – notebook
    • に (ni) – to/at
    • 名前 (namae) – name
    • を (o) – (object marker)
    • 付ける (tsukeru) – to attach/label
    • と (to) – when/if
    • 便利 (benri) – convenient
    • だ (da) – is
    Core grammar: 「付ける」 is a transitive verb meaning ‘to attach’ or ‘to label’; here it attaches 「名前」 to 「ノート」.
  • 新しい オフィスには 備え付ける 設備を 自分で 選んだ。
    Atarashii Ofisu ni wa sonaetsukeru setsubi o jibun de eranda.
    In the new office, I personally chose the equipment to be installed.
    Lista:
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • オフィスには (ofisu ni wa) – in the office
    • 備え付ける (sonaetsukeru) – to install / to furnish
    • 設備を (setsubi o) – equipment
    • 自分で (jibun de) – by oneself
    • 選んだ。 (eranda) – chose
    Core grammar point: 「備え付ける」 means ‘to install / furnish’; used before a noun to mean ‘equipment to be installed’ (備え付ける 設備).
  • 私は日常の体験を丁寧に仕事の知識と結び付ける。
    Watashi wa nichijou no taiken o teinei ni shigoto no chishiki to musubitsukeru.
    I carefully connect everyday experiences to work knowledge.
    Lista:
    • 私は (Watashi wa) – I
    • 日常の体験を (nichijou no taiken o) – everyday experiences
    • 丁寧に (teinei ni) – carefully
    • 仕事の知識と (shigoto no chishiki to) – to work knowledge
    • 結び付ける (musubitsukeru) – connect
    The verb 「結び付ける」 means ‘to link or connect’; here it’s used transitively with を and と to relate 日常の体験 to 仕事の知識.
  • 今夜、新しい額縁を壁に打付けるために、金槌を用意した。
    konya, atarashii gakubuchi o kabe ni uchitsukeru tame ni, kanazuchi o youi shita.
    Tonight I prepared a hammer to nail a new frame to the wall.
    Lista:
    • 今夜 (konya) – tonight
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • 額縁 (gakubuchi) – frame
    • を (wo) – object marker
    • 壁 (kabe) – wall
    • に (ni) – to
    • 打付ける (uchitsukeru) – to nail/attach by hammering
    • ために (tame ni) – for the purpose of
    • 金槌 (kanazuchi) – hammer
    • を (wo) – object marker
    • 用意した (youi shita) – prepared
    The transitive verb 「打付ける」 means to nail or attach by hammering; XをYに打付ける expresses attaching X to Y. The phrase 「打付けるために」 indicates purpose.
  • 週末に洋服を整理してクローゼットをきれいに片付ける。
    Shūmatsu ni yōfuku o seiri shite kurōzetto o kirei ni katazukeru.
    On the weekend, I organize my clothes and tidy the closet neatly.
    Lista:
    • 週末に (Shūmatsu ni) – on the weekend
    • 洋服を (Yōfuku o) – clothes
    • 整理して (Seiri shite) – organize (and)
    • クローゼットを (Kurōzetto o) – closet
    • きれいに (Kirei ni) – neatly
    • 片付ける (Katazukeru) – tidy up
    Core grammar: o alvo 「洋服」 funciona como objeto marcado pela partícula を; a forma て de 整理して conecta as ações; o tempo é indicado por 週末に.
付ける