点けます（つけます、tsukemasu）
- to turn on

The Japanese verb 点けます (つけます) primarily means "to turn on," "to switch on," or "to light." It refers to the action of activating a device, light source, or any object that can be powered on or illuminated. The core meaning revolves around initiating or starting something that was previously off or inactive. The action often involves physical manipulation, such as flipping a switch or pressing a button. ⚫︎It can apply to various things, including lights, appliances, electronic devices, and even fires. The specific object being turned on follows the particle を.

⚫︎電気を点けます。 Translation: I turn on the light. ⚫︎テレビを点けますか？ Translation: Shall I turn on the TV? ⚫︎エアコンを点けます。 Translation: I'll turn on the air conditioner.

⚫︎点けます is used in situations where you are actively initiating the "on" state of something. ⚫︎It's common in everyday conversation when you want to light a lamp, start a car, or activate an electronic device. ⚫︎The context is key, and the object being turned on is usually clearly implied or stated. ⚫︎Use it when describing your actions of turning things on, or asking if someone else will perform the action.

⚫︎点けます is written in kanji 点 and hiragana けます. ⚫︎The verb stem is 点け, and the polite form is 点けます. ⚫︎The okurigana (hiragana following the kanji) is けます. ⚫︎Other conjugations include: ⚫︎点けません(negative, polite) ⚫︎点けた(past, polite) ⚫︎点けない(negative, casual) ⚫︎点けよう(volitional) ⚫︎点けろ(imperative) ⚫︎The variations in okurigana are consistent, as this is a standard verb.

There aren't many direct synonyms, as the meaning is quite specific. However, depending on context, you could use phrases that imply the same action: ⚫︎"つける" (tsukeru) - this is the plain form of 点けます. ⚫︎"スイッチを入れる" (suitchi o ireru) - "to flip/throw the switch" (more descriptive) ⚫︎"オンにする" (on ni suru) - "to turn on" (loan word) ⚫︎"起動する" (kidou suru) - "to start up" (for machines)

The antonym of 点けます is "to turn off" or "to switch off." The most common way to express this is: ⚫︎消します (keshimasu) - to turn off, extinguish, erase

部屋の電気を点けます。 ・Translation: I turn on the room light. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the action of switching on the light in a room. The object of the action (the light) is marked by を.

暖炉に火を点けます。 ・Translation: I light the fire in the fireplace. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates 点けます being used with fire. The action is starting or initiating the fire by lighting it.

The kanji 点 means "point," "spot," or "dot," and can also imply a "spark" or "ignition." The verb 点ける (tsukeru), from which 点けます is derived, likely evolved to represent the action of bringing a point of light or energy into existence or action.