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B1 verb #3,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

服を着る

Top 3,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 服を着る en 30 secondes

Explication 服を着る in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'fuku o kiru' as a basic phrase for your daily routine. Think of it as part of a sequence: wake up, wash your face, and 'fuku o kiru' (put on clothes). You only need to know the most basic forms like 'kimasu' (polite) and 'kite' (please). Remember that this 'kiru' is only for the top half of your body, like a shirt. If you're talking about shoes or pants, you have to use a different word. Just focus on shirts and coats for now. It's an important word for describing what you do every morning.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'fuku o kiru' in more complex sentences. You might say 'fuku o kite kara, gakkou ni ikimasu' (After putting on clothes, I go to school). You should also learn the difference between 'kiru' (the action) and 'kite iru' (the state). If you see someone in a red shirt, you say 'akai shatsu o kite imasu.' If you see them actually putting the shirt over their head, you use 'kiru.' You should also be able to use the negative form 'kinai' to say you won't put something on because it's too hot or you don't like it.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with all the conjugations of 'kiru' and understand its place among other wearing verbs. You should know that 'kiru' is an Ichidan verb, which makes its conjugation different from 'kiru' (to cut). You can use it with various adverbs like 'isoide fuku o kiru' (hurriedly put on clothes) or 'yukkuri fuku o kiru' (slowly put on clothes). You should also start noticing how it's used in social contexts, such as choosing clothes for a job interview or a date. You might use the potential form 'kireru' to say a child can now dress themselves.

At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of 'fuku o kiru' in relation to social expectations and fashion. You can discuss 'TPO' (Time, Place, Occasion) in Japan and what kind of 'fuku o kiru' is appropriate for a wedding versus a funeral. You might use the causative form 'kiseru' to describe a parent dressing a child or a stylist dressing a model. You are also aware of compound verbs like 'kikonasu' (to wear clothes well/stylishly). Your usage is precise, and you never accidentally use 'kiru' for items that require 'haku' or 'kaburu.'

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At the C1 level, you can use 'fuku o kiru' and its derivatives in literary or highly formal contexts. You understand the historical etymology of the kanji '着' and its relation to arrival and attachment. You can discuss the cultural significance of 'kitsuke' (the art of dressing in kimono) and the specific vocabulary associated with it. You might use the phrase in metaphorical ways, such as 'neko o kaburu' (to act like a nice person) or other idioms involving clothing and appearance. You are sensitive to the honorific levels required when speaking about someone else's attire in a business setting.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'fuku o kiru' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You can appreciate the subtle differences between 'fuku o kiru' and more poetic or archaic terms found in classical Japanese literature. You can engage in deep discussions about the sociology of fashion in Japan, the evolution of 'yofuku' (Western clothes) versus 'wafuku' (Japanese clothes), and the linguistic shifts in how we describe 'wearing.' You can use the word in puns, wordplay, and complex rhetorical structures with ease, reflecting a complete integration of the concept into your linguistic repertoire.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

服を着る en 30 secondes

Refers to the action of putting on upper-body clothing.
Uses the Ichidan verb 'kiru' (to wear).
Must be distinguished from 'haku' (lower body) and 'kaburu' (head).
Changes to 'kite iru' to describe the state of wearing.

The phrase 服を着る (fuku o kiru) is a cornerstone of daily Japanese communication, specifically referring to the physical action of putting on clothing that covers the upper body or the body as a whole. While in English we use the single verb 'to wear' for almost everything—from hats to shoes—Japanese is much more specific. The verb kiru (着る) is reserved for garments that you put your arms through or drape over your shoulders, such as shirts, sweaters, coats, and traditional kimono. Understanding this distinction is vital for reaching a B1 level of proficiency, as it demonstrates a grasp of Japanese categorical logic. This phrase is used in everyday morning routines, when preparing for a change in weather, or when discussing fashion choices with friends. It captures the transition from being undressed to being dressed, making it an 'action' verb rather than a 'state' verb in its dictionary form.

Grammatical Category: This is a transitive verb phrase consisting of the noun 服 (fuku - clothes), the object marker particle を (o), and the Ichidan (Group 2) verb 着る (kiru - to wear).
Contextual Nuance: Use this when describing the process of getting dressed. If you want to say you are *already* wearing something, you must use the te-iru form: 服を着ている (fuku o kite iru).
Scope of Usage: Applies to shirts, jackets, sweaters, dresses, and coats. It does not apply to pants, socks, or hats, which require different verbs.

寒いから、早く服を着るほうがいいですよ。(It is cold, so you should put your clothes on quickly.)

彼は新しい服を着るのが大好きです。(He loves putting on new clothes.)

朝起きて、シャワーを浴びてから服を着る。(I wake up in the morning, take a shower, and then put on my clothes.)

子供が一人で服を着る練習をしています。(The child is practicing putting on clothes by themselves.)

急いで服を着る必要はありません。(There is no need to put on your clothes in a hurry.)

To use 服を着る correctly, you must master its conjugation as an Ichidan verb. The stem is simply ki-. By adding different suffixes to this stem, you can express various nuances of time, politeness, and intent. For example, 着ます (kimasu) is the polite present form, while 着た (kita) is the casual past form. When constructing sentences, the noun fuku (clothes) can be replaced with specific items like shatsu (shirt) or kōto (coat) without changing the verb, provided the garment is for the upper body. Another critical grammatical point is the distinction between 'putting on' (action) and 'wearing' (state). If you want to say 'I am wearing a red shirt right now,' you must use the continuous form: Akai shatsu o kite imasu. Using the dictionary form kiru in that context would imply you are about to put it on or that you habitually put it on.

Polite Present: 服を着ます (Fuku o kimasu) - I put on clothes / I will put on clothes.
Casual Past: 服を着た (Fuku o kita) - I put on clothes / I wore clothes.
Te-Form (Request): 服を着て (Fuku o kite) - Please put on your clothes.

明日、パーティーのために一番いい服を着るつもりです。(Tomorrow, I intend to put on my best clothes for the party.)

彼はいつも鏡の前で服を着るのに時間がかかります。(He always takes a long time to put on clothes in front of the mirror.)

着物などの伝統的な服を着るときは、手伝いが必要です。(When putting on traditional clothes like kimono, help is necessary.)

運動する前に、動きやすい服を着るべきです。(Before exercising, you should put on clothes that are easy to move in.)

面接のために、きちんとした服を着ることが大切です。(It is important to put on neat clothes for the interview.)

In Japan, you will encounter 服を着る in a variety of situational contexts. One of the most common is within the family home. Parents frequently say 'Hayaku fuku o kinasai!' (Put your clothes on quickly!) to children in the morning. In retail environments, such as clothing boutiques in Shibuya or Ginza, staff might use more formal variants like o-meshi ni naru (honorific 'to wear'), but you will still hear kiru in casual shopping conversations between friends. Fashion magazines and blogs also use this phrase when providing styling advice, such as 'how to wear layers' or 'how to wear seasonal colors.' Furthermore, in healthcare settings, a nurse might instruct a patient by saying 'Koko de fuku o kite kudasai' (Please put your clothes on here) after an examination. Its prevalence in media—anime, dramas, and variety shows—is high because it relates to the universal human experience of preparing for the day. Whether it's a character changing into a school uniform or a superhero putting on a costume, fuku o kiru is the standard expression.

Daily Life: Morning routines and preparing to go out.
Retail & Fashion: Trying on clothes or discussing trends.
Media: Anime transformations or drama scenes involving character preparation.

ドラマの主人公がかっこいい服を着るシーンがありました。(There was a scene where the drama's protagonist puts on cool clothes.)

店員さんに「試着室で服を着てみてください」と言われた。(The shop assistant told me, "Please try putting on the clothes in the fitting room.")

雑誌には、冬に温かい服を着るコツが載っています。(The magazine contains tips on putting on warm clothes in winter.)

お祭りの日は、みんな浴衣という特別な服を着る。(On festival days, everyone puts on special clothes called yukata.)

忙しい朝は、5分で服を着る必要があります。(On busy mornings, I need to put on my clothes in five minutes.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using 服を着る is over-extending the verb kiru to all types of clothing. In English, 'wear' is a catch-all term, but in Japanese, using kiru for shoes or pants is grammatically incorrect and sounds very unnatural. For items worn on the lower half of the body (pants, skirts, socks, shoes), you must use haku (履く). For hats, use kaburu (被る). For accessories like glasses, use kakeru (かける). Another common error is confusing the action of 'putting on' with the state of 'wearing.' If you say 'Watashi wa kuroi fuku o kimasu' to mean 'I am wearing black clothes right now,' a Japanese speaker will understand you as saying 'I am about to put on black clothes' or 'I habitually wear black clothes.' To describe your current outfit, the te-iru form is mandatory. Lastly, beginners sometimes forget that kiru is an Ichidan verb and try to conjugate it as a Godan verb (like kiru meaning 'to cut'), leading to mistakes like saying *kiranai instead of the correct kinai.

Wrong Verb for Bottoms: Incorrect: ズボンを着る (Zubon o kiru). Correct: ズボンを履く (Zubon o haku).
Action vs. State: 'Kiru' is the action of putting it on. 'Kite iru' is the state of having it on.
Conjugation Confusion: Don't confuse 着る (to wear - Ichidan) with 切る (to cut - Godan). Negative of wear is 'kinai'; negative of cut is 'kiranai'.

❌ 靴を着る。 (Incorrect: Wear shoes - using kiru)
✅ 靴を履く。 (Correct: Put on shoes - using haku)

❌ 今、青いシャツを着る。 (Incorrect: I wear a blue shirt now - missing state)
✅ 今、青いシャツを着ている。 (Correct: I am wearing a blue shirt now)

❌ 彼は服をきらない。 (Incorrect: He doesn't wear clothes - wrong conjugation)
✅ 彼は服を着ない。 (Correct: He doesn't put on clothes)

❌ 帽子を着る。 (Incorrect: Wear a hat - using kiru)
✅ 帽子を被る。 (Correct: Put on a hat - using kaburu)

❌ 眼鏡を着る。 (Incorrect: Wear glasses - using kiru)
✅ 眼鏡をかける。 (Correct: Put on glasses - using kakeru)

While 服を着る is the standard way to say 'to put on clothes,' the Japanese language offers several alternatives depending on the formality and the specific type of garment. For instance, the verb 羽織る (haoru) is used when you throw something over your shoulders lightly, like a cardigan or a jacket, without necessarily fastening it. If you are talking about formal attire or expressing deep respect, you might use 身に付ける (mi ni tsukeru), which literally means 'to attach to the body' and can encompass clothes, accessories, and even skills. In highly formal or honorific situations (Keigo), the verb お召しになる (o-meshi ni naru) is used to describe a superior wearing or putting on clothes. Conversely, the casual word 着込む (kikomu) means to bundle up or wear many layers, often to stay warm. Understanding these synonyms allows you to describe the act of dressing with much greater precision and cultural awareness. Below is a comparison of these terms to help you choose the right one for your situation.

羽織る (Haoru): To throw on or drape over. Used for jackets, cardigans, or haori. Example: カーディガンを羽織る (Throw on a cardigan).
身に付ける (Mi ni tsukeru): To put on/equip. Used for clothes and accessories collectively. Example: 宝石を身に付ける (To wear jewels).
着込む (Kikomu): To dress heavily/bundle up. Example: 寒いのでたくさん着込む (I'll bundle up because it's cold).

彼はジャケットをさらっと羽織った。(He lightly threw on a jacket.)

冬の登山では、しっかりと着込むことが必要です。(When mountain climbing in winter, it is necessary to bundle up firmly.)

社長はいつも高価なスーツをお召しになっています。(The president is always wearing expensive suits.)

彼女は赤いドレスを身に付けて現れた。(She appeared wearing a red dress.)

パジャマから外出用の服に着替える。(Change from pajamas into clothes for going out.)

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The kanji '着' is also used in 'touchdown' (touchaku) and 'arrival' (touchaku), showing its root meaning of 'reaching' or 'sticking to' a place.

Guide de prononciation

UK /fɯkɯ o kiɾɯ/

US /fuku o kiru/

Japanese is pitch-accented, not stress-accented. The emphasis is on the pitch drop after 'ki'.

Rime avec

miru (to see) iru (to be) niru (to boil) chiru (to scatter) shiru (to know) hiru (noon) hiru (leech) kiru (to cut)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'kiru' like the English word 'kill'.
Stressing the 'o' particle too heavily.
Making the 'u' in 'fuku' too long like 'foo-koo'.
Confusing the pitch of 'kiru' (to wear) with 'kiru' (to cut).
Over-enunciating the 'o' as 'wo' instead of a simple 'o'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The kanji '着' is common but has multiple readings (ki, tsu, cha). Context is key.

Écriture 3/5

The kanji for 'Fuku' (服) and 'Kiru' (着) have many strokes and require practice.

Expression orale 2/5

The pronunciation is easy, but choosing the right verb for the body part is tricky.

Écoute 2/5

Easy to recognize in daily speech, though it can be confused with 'kiru' (to cut).

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

服 (Fuku) を (Particle o) 私 (Watashi) 朝 (Asa) シャツ (Shatsu)

Apprends ensuite

履く (Haku) 被る (Kaburu) 脱ぐ (Nugu) 着替える (Kigae-ru) 似合う (Niau)

Avancé

着こなす (Kikonasu) 身に付ける (Mi ni tsukeru) お召しになる (O-meshi ni naru) 着飾る (Kikazaru) 仕立てる (Shitateru)

Grammaire à connaître

Ichidan Verb Conjugation

着る -> 着ない、着ます、着た、着れば

The 'Te-iru' for States

服を着ている (is wearing clothes)

The 'Te-kara' Sequence

服を着てから出かける (Go out after putting on clothes)

Potential Form 'Reru'

一人で服を着られる (Can put on clothes alone)

Causative Form 'Saseru'

子供に服を着させる (Make/let the child put on clothes)

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Exemples par niveau

あさ、ふくをきます。

I put on clothes in the morning.

Uses basic polite form 'kimasu'.

シャツをきてください。

Please put on a shirt.

Uses te-form for a request.

あおいふくをきます。

I will put on blue clothes.

Simple future/habitual use.

ふくをきません。

I will not put on clothes.

Negative polite form.

もうふくをきた？

Did you already put on your clothes?

Casual past question.

きれいなふくをきます。

I put on pretty clothes.

Adjective modifying the noun 'fuku'.

ふくをきて、そとにいきます。

I put on clothes and go outside.

Connecting two actions with te-form.

このふくをきる。

I'll put on these clothes.

Casual dictionary form.

ひとりで服を着ることができます。

I can put on clothes by myself.

Potential form 'koto ga dekiru'.

服を着てから、朝ご飯を食べます。

After putting on clothes, I eat breakfast.

Sequence of actions: V-te kara.

今日は寒いので、厚い服を着ます。

Since it's cold today, I will put on thick clothes.

Reasoning with 'node'.

新しい服を着るのが楽しみです。

I'm looking forward to putting on new clothes.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

服を着たまま寝てしまいました。

I ended up falling asleep with my clothes on.

Expressing a state with 'mama'.

どの服を着るか決めていません。

I haven't decided which clothes to put on.

Embedded question with 'ka'.

服を着るのに10分かかります。

It takes 10 minutes to put on clothes.

Expressing time required.

お風呂の後は、すぐ服を着てください。

Please put on clothes immediately after the bath.

Temporal marker 'no ato wa'.

明日の面接には、清潔な服を着ていくべきだ。

You should wear clean clothes to tomorrow's interview.

Using 'beki da' for obligation/advice.

急いで服を着たので、ボタンを掛け違えた。

Because I put on my clothes in a hurry, I misbuttoned them.

Causal connection with 'node'.

子供が自分で服を着られるように練習させる。

I'll have my child practice so they can put on clothes by themselves.

Causative-potential combination.

パーティーに何を着ていけばいいか迷っている。

I'm lost as to what I should wear to the party.

Conditional 'eba' with 'ii'.

彼女はいつも流行の服を着ているね。

She's always wearing trendy clothes, isn't she?

State of being 'te-iru'.

服を着る前に、アイロンをかけなければならない。

Before putting on the clothes, I must iron them.

Obligation 'nakereba naranai'.

濡れた服を着たままだと、風邪を引くよ。

If you keep wearing wet clothes, you'll catch a cold.

Conditional 'to' with 'mama'.

彼はどんな服を着ても似合う。

He looks good no matter what clothes he puts on.

Concessive 'te mo'.

その場にふさわしい服を着ることは、社会人としてのマナーだ。

Putting on clothes appropriate for the occasion is a manner for a member of society.

Nominalized clause as a subject.

彼はブランド物の服を着ることで、自分を誇示しているようだ。

By putting on brand-name clothes, it seems he is showing off.

Means/method with 'de'.

伝統的な和服を着る機会が少なくなってきた。

Opportunities to put on traditional Japanese clothes have become fewer.

Noun modification with a verb phrase.

制服を着ると、気持ちが引き締まる。

When I put on my uniform, I feel focused.

Natural consequence with 'to'.

彼はわざと古着を着て、個性を出している。

He intentionally puts on second-hand clothes to show his individuality.

Purpose with 'te'.

服を着るという行為は、自己表現の一つである。

The act of putting on clothes is a form of self-expression.

Appositive 'to iu'.

どんなに高い服を着ても、中身が伴わなければ意味がない。

No matter how expensive the clothes you put on, it's meaningless if your character doesn't match.

Concessive 'donna ni ... te mo'.

彼は毎日同じような服を着ることに決めているらしい。

It seems he has decided to put on similar clothes every day.

Decision with 'koto ni shite iru'.

儀式の際には、格式高い服を正しく着る作法が求められる。

During ceremonies, the etiquette of correctly putting on high-status clothes is required.

Passive voice 'motomerareru'.

鎧を身にまとい、戦装束の服を着る武士の姿は勇ましかった。

The sight of the samurai clad in armor and putting on battle attire was brave.

Literary descriptions.

彼は他人の目を気にして、常に完璧な服を着ようとする。

Worrying about others' eyes, he always tries to put on perfect clothes.

Volitional form 'yo to suru'.

服を着る手間を省くために、彼はミニマリストになった。

To save the trouble of putting on clothes, he became a minimalist.

Purpose with 'tame ni'.

喪服を着ることで、故人への哀悼の意を表す。

By putting on mourning clothes, one expresses condolences to the deceased.

Abstract expression of intent.

舞台俳優は、衣装を着ることで役になりきる。

Stage actors become their roles by putting on their costumes.

Compound verb 'narikiru'.

季節の移ろいに合わせて、適切な厚さの服を着る知恵。

The wisdom of putting on clothes of appropriate thickness according to the changing seasons.

Nominalized phrase.

彼はまるで借りてきた服を着ているかのように、落ち着きがなかった。

He was restless, as if he were wearing borrowed clothes (meaning they didn't fit his personality).

Simile with 'ka no you ni'.

服を着るという日常的行為の背後には、膨大な文化的蓄積が存在する。

Behind the mundane act of putting on clothes lies a vast accumulation of culture.

Complex philosophical sentence structure.

権威を象徴する服を着る者が、必ずしもその器であるとは限らない。

The person who puts on clothes symbolizing authority is not necessarily capable of holding that authority.

Double negative 'to wa kagiranai'.

彼は世俗の服を脱ぎ捨て、法衣を着ることで出家を果たした。

By casting off worldly clothes and putting on priestly robes, he achieved monkhood.

Contrastive verbs.

機能性を追求した末に、彼は究極の服を着る喜びを見出した。

After pursuing functionality to the end, he found the joy of putting on the ultimate garment.

Resultative 'sue ni'.

服を着る際の微細な所作にこそ、その人の品格が表れるものだ。

It is in the minute movements when putting on clothes that a person's dignity is revealed.

Emphatic 'koso ... mono da'.

流行に翻弄されず、己の哲学に基づいた服を着る。それが彼の流儀だ。

Not being toyed with by trends, putting on clothes based on one's own philosophy—that is his style.

Passive potential negative 'honrou sarezu'.

防護服を着る緊迫した空気の中、作業員たちは言葉を交わさなかった。

In the tense atmosphere of putting on protective suits, the workers did not exchange words.

Attributive clause modifying 'kuuki'.

装束を正しく着ることは、神事における敬虔な祈りの一部である。

Correctly putting on the ritual attire is part of a pious prayer in Shinto rituals.

Formal religious context.

Collocations courantes

急いで服を着る

暖かい服を着る

自分で服を着る

新しい服を着る

一張羅の服を着る

パジャマから服を着る

仕事用の服を着る

派手な服を着る

重ねて服を着る

鏡を見て服を着る

Phrases Courantes

早く服を着なさい

— Hurry up and put on your clothes. Common command from parents to children.

学校に遅れるわよ、早く服を着なさい。

服を着たまま

— With one's clothes on. Often used to describe sleeping or jumping into water.

疲れて服を着たまま寝てしまった。

服を着る暇もない

— No time to even put on clothes. Expresses extreme busyness or urgency.

火事で、服を着る暇もなく逃げ出した。

服を着る練習

— Practice putting on clothes. Used for toddlers or rehabilitation.

リハビリで服を着る練習をしています。

服を着る順番

— The order of putting on clothes.

子供に服を着る順番を教える。

何を着るか迷う

— To be undecided about what to wear.

デートに何を着るか迷う。

着る服がない

— To have nothing to wear (often figuratively, meaning nothing suitable).

クローゼットはいっぱいなのに、着る服がない。

適当な服を着る

— To put on whatever clothes are available/appropriate.

近所のコンビニへ行くので、適当な服を着る。

服を着る喜び

— The joy of putting on clothes.

お洒落をすることで服を着る喜びを感じる。

服を着るのが遅い

— To be slow at putting on clothes.

主人は朝、服を着るのが遅い。

Souvent confondu avec

服を着る vs 切る (Kiru)

To cut. Different kanji, different conjugation (Godan).

服を着る vs 履く (Haku)

To wear (on lower body). Used for pants, shoes, socks.

服を着る vs 被る (Kaburu)

To wear (on head). Used for hats.

Expressions idiomatiques

"馬子にも衣装"

— Even a packhorse driver looks good in fine clothes. (Clothes make the man).

彼もスーツを着ればかっこいいね。まさに馬子にも衣装だ。

Casual/Proverb

"猫を被る"

— To put on a cat (to feign friendliness or innocence). Related to appearance.

彼女は義理の両親の前では猫を被っている。

Common

"身の丈に合った服を着る"

— To wear clothes that fit one's stature (to live within one's means).

無理をせず、身の丈に合った服を着るべきだ。

Metaphorical

"一張羅を着る"

— To wear one's single best set of clothes.

結婚式に一張羅を着ていく。

Neutral

"借りてきた猫"

— Like a borrowed cat (meek and quiet in an unfamiliar place).

新しいクラスでは、彼は借りてきた猫のようだ。

Common

"濡れ衣を着せられる"

— To be forced to wear wet clothes (to be falsely accused).

彼は無実なのに、濡れ衣を着せられた。

Idiomatic

"ボロを着ても心は錦"

— Even if one wears rags, their heart is brocade (nobility of spirit despite poverty).

彼は貧しいが、ボロを着ても心は錦だ。

Proverb

"衣食足りて礼節を知る"

— Only when basic needs like food and clothing are met can people care about manners.

社会の安定には、衣食足りて礼節を知る状態が必要だ。

Formal

"鎧を脱ぐ"

— To take off one's armor (to let one's guard down).

親友の前では、彼はやっと鎧を脱いだ。

Metaphorical

"着たきり雀"

— A person who only has the clothes on their back.

旅先で荷物を失い、着たきり雀になってしまった。

Casual

Facile à confondre

服を着る vs 履く (Haku)

Both mean 'to wear' in English.

Kiru is for the upper body (shirts, coats). Haku is for the lower body (pants, shoes).

シャツを着て、ズボンを履く。

服を着る vs 被る (Kaburu)

Both mean 'to wear' in English.

Kiru is for the body. Kaburu is for the head.

コートを着て、帽子を被る。

服を着る vs かける (Kakeru)

Both mean 'to wear' in English.

Kiru is for garments. Kakeru is specifically for glasses.

服を着て、眼鏡をかける。

服を着る vs する (Suru)

Both mean 'to wear/put on' for accessories.

Kiru is for garments. Suru is for ties, jewelry, or watches.

服を着て、ネクタイをする。

服を着る vs はめる (Hameru)

Both mean 'to wear' in English.

Kiru is for garments. Hameru is for gloves or rings.

コートを着て、手袋をはめる。

Structures de phrases

[Noun] を着ます。

シャツを着ます。

[Noun] を着て、[Action]。

服を着て、学校へ行きます。

[Noun] を着るのが [Adjective] です。

新しい服を着るのが好きです。

[Noun] を着るために [Action]。

パーティーで着るために服を買った。

[Noun] を着ている [Noun]。

赤い服を着ている人は誰ですか？

[Noun] を着たまま [Action]。

服を着たまま泳いだ。

[Noun] を着ることで [Result]。

制服を着ることで連帯感が生まれる。

[Noun] を着る際の [Noun]。

服を着る際の作法を学ぶ。

Famille de mots

Noms

着物 (Kimono - things to wear)

上着 (Uwagi - jacket/outerwear)

下着 (Shitagi - underwear)

水着 (Mizugi - swimsuit)

着替え (Kigae - change of clothes)

Verbes

着せる (Kiseru - to dress someone else)

着せ替える (Kisekaeru - to change someone's clothes)

着こなす (Kikonasu - to wear well)

着込む (Kikomu - to bundle up)

着回す (Kimawasu - to mix and match)

Adjectifs

着心地が良い (Kigochi ga yoi - comfortable to wear)

着古した (Kifurushita - worn out)

着やすい (Kiyasui - easy to wear)

Apparenté

洗濯 (Sentaku - laundry)

試着 (Shichaku - trying on clothes)

洋服 (Yofuku - Western clothes)

和服 (Wafuku - Japanese clothes)

身なり (Minari - appearance/attire)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily life.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'kiru' for shoes. → 靴を履く (kutsu o haku).
Japanese uses 'haku' for anything you step into (lower body).
Using 'kiru' for hats. → 帽子を被る (boushi o kaburu).
Japanese uses 'kaburu' for anything that covers the head.
Conjugating as 'kiranai' for negative. → 着ない (kinai).
'Kiru' (to wear) is an Ichidan verb. 'Kiranai' is the negative of 'kiru' (to cut).
Using 'kiru' to mean 'I am wearing'. → 着ている (kite iru).
The dictionary form 'kiru' implies future action or habit, not current state.
Using 'kiru' for glasses. → 眼鏡をかける (megane o kakeru).
Glasses require the specific verb 'kakeru'.

Astuces

State vs Action

Always check if you are describing the process of getting dressed (kiru) or the fact that someone is already dressed (kite iru). This is a common B1 exam point.

The Body Zone Rule

Divide the body into zones: Head (kaburu), Torso (kiru), Legs/Feet (haku), Face (kakeru), Hands (hameru/suru). This will help you never use the wrong verb.

Ichidan identification

Remember that 'wear-kiru' is Ichidan. This means the 'ru' just drops away. Ki-nai, Ki-masu, Ki-ta. It's much simpler than Godan verbs!

Honorifics

When talking about a boss or teacher, avoid 'kimasu'. Instead, use 'o-meshi ni natte imasu'. It shows you have high-level social awareness.

The Pitch Drop

In 'kiru' (to wear), the pitch is high on 'ki' and drops on 'ru'. Practice saying it like a downward step.

The Key Mnemonic

Imagine a key (ki) that you use to open your closet to get your clothes. This links the sound 'ki' to the concept of clothes.

Kitsuke context

If you ever take a kimono class, you will hear 'kitsuke'. This comes from 'kiru' and 'tsukeru'. It's the art of wearing clothes correctly.

Kanji Practice

The kanji '着' has a 'sheep' (hitsuji) radical on top (partially) and a 'look' (miru) component at the bottom. Imagine a sheep looking at what clothes to wear.

Morning Routine

Associate 'fuku o kiru' with your morning coffee. While you drink coffee, you 'fuku o kiru'. Linking it to a habit helps retention.

Don't drop the 'o'

While 'fuku kiru' is okay for friends, in the JLPT N3 or N4, always include the particle 'o' (を). It demonstrates grammatical precision.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Kiru' as 'KEY-RU'. You need a 'KEY' to unlock your 'ROOM' to get your clothes. Or imagine a 'KEER' (gear) you put on your body.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person putting their arms through a shirt. The 'ki' (き) in hiragana looks a bit like a person with their arms out, ready to receive a shirt.

Word Web

Shirt Coat Dress Kimono Sweater Jacket Blouse Uniform

Défi

Try to describe your morning routine using 'fuku o kiru' and at least three other verbs for different items (e.g., shoes, hat, glasses).

Origine du mot

The verb 'kiru' (着る) descends from Old Japanese. The kanji '着' originally depicted a person reaching a destination or something being attached to a surface. In the context of clothing, it signifies the act of attaching the garment to the body.

Sens originel : To come into contact with, to arrive, or to put on the body.

Japonic

Contexte culturel

Be aware that 'fuku o nugu' (taking off clothes) can be sensitive in certain contexts. Also, when complimenting someone's clothes, it's better to say 'sono fuku, niatte imasu ne' (those clothes suit you) rather than focusing on the act of wearing.

English speakers often say 'wear' for everything. In Japanese, this is a major pitfall. You must learn the 'zones' of the body for wearing verbs.

The song 'Fuku o Kiru' (nursery rhymes for kids). Anime transformation sequences (Sailor Moon, etc.) where they 'kiru' their outfits. Fashion magazines like 'Vogue Japan' or 'Non-no' using 'kikonasu' tips.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Morning Routine

早く服を着て！
どの服を着ようかな？
パジャマを脱いで服を着る。
鏡を見て服を着る。

Shopping

これを着てみてもいいですか？
この服を着ると太って見える。
もっと明るい服を着たい。
試着室で服を着る。

Weather changes

寒いからコートを着る。
暑いので薄い服を着る。
雨だから濡れてもいい服を着る。
セーターを重ねて着る。

Formal Events

スーツを着て出席する。
礼服を着る必要があります。
着物を着るのは大変だ。
きちんとした服を着る。

Sports/Activities

ユニフォームを着る。
動きやすい服を着る。
水着を着てプールに入る。
防護服を着て作業する。

Amorces de conversation

"今日はどんな服を着る予定ですか？ (What clothes do you plan to wear today?)"

"新しい服を着る時、どんな気持ちになりますか？ (How do you feel when you put on new clothes?)"

"子供の頃、一人で服を着ることができましたか？ (Could you put on clothes by yourself when you were a child?)"

"仕事の時はいつもどんな服を着ていますか？ (What kind of clothes do you always wear for work?)"

"パーティーにはどんな服を着ていけばいいと思いますか？ (What kind of clothes do you think I should wear to the party?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日着た服について詳しく書いてください。なぜその服を選びましたか？ (Write in detail about the clothes you wore today. Why did you choose them?)

一番好きな服を着る時の特別な思い出はありますか？ (Do you have a special memory of wearing your favorite clothes?)

「服を着る」という行為は、あなたにとって何を意味しますか？ (What does the act of 'putting on clothes' mean to you?)

将来、どんな服を着て働きたいですか？ (What kind of clothes do you want to wear for work in the future?)

自分のスタイルに合わない服を着た時のエピソードを教えてください。 (Tell an episode about when you wore clothes that didn't fit your style.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you cannot. For pants, skirts, and other leg-wear, you must use 'haku' (履く). Using 'kiru' for pants sounds like you are trying to put your arms through the legs of the pants.

'Kiru' is the action of putting the clothes on. 'Kite iru' is the state of already wearing them. If you are describing what someone looks like right now, use 'kite iru'.

'Kiru' is the dictionary form (neutral). To be polite, use 'kimasu'. To be very formal or honorific toward someone else, use 'o-meshi ni naru'.

Since it is an Ichidan verb, you remove 'ru' and add 'nai'. So it becomes 'kinai' (casual) or 'kimasen' (polite).

Yes, 'kiru' can be used for underwear that covers the torso, but the specific noun for underwear is 'shitagi'. You would say 'shitagi o kiru'.

Phonetically, yes. But 'to cut' is written with the kanji '切' and conjugates as a Godan verb (kiru -> kiranai). 'To wear' is '着' and conjugates as an Ichidan verb (kiru -> kinai).

For a scarf, you usually use 'maku' (巻く - to wrap) or 'suru' (する - to do/wear).

The opposite of 'kiru' is 'nugu' (脱ぐ). This verb is used for all types of clothing, whether they were 'kiru', 'haku', or 'kaburu' items.

Yes, since a dress covers the torso and is put on over the head or with arms through sleeves, 'kiru' is the correct verb.

If you are dressing a pet in a little sweater, you can use 'kiseru' (to dress someone/something else) or 'kiru' if describing the pet's action (though pets don't usually dress themselves!).

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