付けます（つけます、tsukemasu）
- to attach

The Japanese verb 付けます, pronounced つけます (tsukemasu), generally means "to attach," "to put on," "to turn on," "to add," or "to apply," depending on the context. It implies bringing something into contact or connection with something else, or initiating an action or state. This versatility makes it a common and useful word in everyday Japanese. The core meaning revolves around the idea of adding, connecting, or initiating. The specific translation will vary based on the context. 付けます is a basic form of the verb.

⚫︎電気を 付けます Translation: I turn on the light. ⚫︎ソースを 付けます Translation: I add the sauce. ⚫︎服を 付けます Translation: I put on clothes.

This verb is used frequently in various situations. It can be used in conversations about: ⚫︎Turning on appliances or lights. ⚫︎Adding ingredients to food. ⚫︎Applying makeup or accessories. ⚫︎Attaching items to each other. ⚫︎Starting or adding something. The particle を (o) usually indicates what is being attached, turned on, added, etc. It can also be used in more abstract ways, so pay close attention to the context. 付けます is a common verb so using it correctly will help you communicate better.

The verb 付けます is written as follows: ⚫︎Hiragana: つけます ⚫︎Katakana: Not typically used. ⚫︎Kanji: 付けます (The kanji is 付 which means "to attach" or "to adhere".) The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is always けます after the kanji 付. Variations include conjugations like 付けた (tsuketa - past tense), 付けて (tsukete - te-form), 付けない (tsukenai - negative form), and so on. Variations of the 付けます are common in Japanese.

Depending on the context, synonyms can include: ⚫︎"To turn on": つける (tsukeru) ⚫︎"To put on/wear": 着る (kiru) or 履く (haku) (for shoes) ⚫︎"To add": 加える (kuwaeru) ⚫︎"To attach/connect": つける (tsukeru) or 取り付ける (toritsukeru) The best word to use depends on the situation.

Antonyms vary based on the specific meaning, but some examples include: ⚫︎"To turn off": 消す (kesu) ⚫︎"To remove": 外す (hazusu) or 取る (toru) ⚫︎"To subtract/take away": 引く (hiku) The meaning of 付けます is very versatile.

部屋の電気を 付けます。 ・Translation: I turn on the lights in the room. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 付けます to describe the action of turning on the lights. The object being turned on is the light.

ソースを料理に 付けます。 ・Translation: I add sauce to the dish. ・Explanation: Here, 付けます refers to the act of adding sauce. The particle に (ni) indicates where the sauce is being added.

The verb 付ける (tsukeru) is derived from the kanji 付 (tsu-) which means "to attach," "to adhere," or "to be close to." The suffix ける (-keru) is a verb-forming suffix. Therefore, the etymology of 付ける (tsukeru) is related to the idea of bringing things together or making something connected. The form 付けます is the polite, ます-form, of the verb.