つけます (つける)

The Japanese verb つけます (tsukemasu), or its dictionary form つける (tsukeru), is a fundamental transitive verb that every Japanese learner encounters early in their journey. At its core, the word means 'to turn on' or 'to switch on' when referring to electrical appliances, lights, or devices. However, the linguistic depth of this word goes far beyond just flicking a switch. In the Japanese mindset, the act of 'turning on' is historically linked to the concept of 'attaching' or 'applying' something to a surface or a state. When you turn on a light, you are essentially 'attaching' light to the room. This conceptual framework helps explain why the same verb is used for applying ointment to a wound, putting on jewelry, or even keeping a diary. In the context of CEFR A2, we focus primarily on its use with household items like televisions, air conditioners, and lamps.

Primary Usage

Used for devices that consume electricity or fire. Examples include lights (denki), televisions (terebi), and stoves (gasu-konro).

In a typical Japanese household, you will hear this word constantly. Parents tell children to turn off the TV (kesu) and turn on the study light (tsukeru). In an office setting, the first person to arrive will 'tsukeru' the air conditioning and the computers. It is a word of action and initiation. It is important to note that this is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object marked by the particle を (o). You are the agent performing the action upon the object. This distinguishes it from its intransitive counterpart, つく (tsuku), which describes the state of something turning on by itself or simply being in the 'on' state. Understanding this distinction is crucial for moving from basic survival Japanese to more nuanced communication.

Kanji Variations

While often written in Hiragana in beginner texts, the Kanji 点ける is specifically used for lights and fire, while 付ける is used for attaching or applying things.

Culturally, the word reflects the Japanese emphasis on mindfulness regarding one's surroundings. Turning things on and off is not just a mechanical act but often involves a social consideration—checking if others are cold before turning on the heater, or asking if it's okay to turn on the radio. The polite form 'tsukemasu' is standard for most social interactions outside of close friends and family. Using the plain form 'tsukeru' with a superior might sound too blunt or demanding. Therefore, mastering the 'masu' conjugation is vital for A2 learners who wish to navigate Japanese society with proper etiquette.

Common Objects

Denki (Light), Terebi (TV), Eakon (Aircon), Sento (Stove/Burner), Pasokon (Computer).

Finally, let us consider the broader implications. In modern Japan, with the rise of smart homes, you might even say 'tsukeru' to a voice assistant like Alexa or Siri. The verb has evolved from the physical act of striking a match to the digital act of voice command. Despite the technological shift, the linguistic root remains firm. Whether you are lighting a candle at a temple or activating a high-tech gaming console, 'tsukeru' is the bridge between the dormant state and the active state. It is a word of power, bringing function and life to the objects around us.

Using つけます correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a transitive verb. In Japanese, transitive verbs (tadoshi) describe an action that a subject performs on an object. The standard sentence pattern is: [Subject] は [Object] を つけます. Often, the subject is omitted if it is clear from the context, which is very common in spoken Japanese. For example, if you are in a room and it gets dark, simply saying 'Denki o tsukemasu' is perfectly natural. The particle 'o' is the key marker here, indicating that the 'light' is the recipient of the action of 'turning on'.

Basic Pattern

[Object] + を (o) + つけます (tsukemasu). This is the most common way to express turning something on politely.

When you want to make a request, you use the 'te-form' of the verb, which is つけて (tsukete). Adding 'kudasai' makes it a polite request. This is one of the most useful phrases for a traveler or someone living in Japan. 'Eakon o tsukete kudasai' (Please turn on the air conditioner) is a lifesaver during the humid Japanese summers. Conversely, if you want to ask for permission, you use the pattern '~te mo ii desu ka'. For example, 'Terebi o tsukete mo ii desu ka?' (Is it okay if I turn on the TV?). This shows respect for the other people in the room, which is a key aspect of Japanese social harmony (wa).

Request Form

[Object] + を + つけてください (tsukete kudasai). Use this when asking someone else to perform the action.

Another important aspect of using 'tsukemasu' is its interaction with time and reason. You can use particles like 'kara' (because) or 'node' (since) to explain why you are turning something on. 'Samui kara, hitaa o tsukemasu' (Because it is cold, I will turn on the heater). You can also use it in the potential form 'tsukerareru' (can turn on) or the negative form 'tsukemasen' (do not turn on). For instance, 'Kowarete iru kara, terebi o tsukemasen' (Because it is broken, I won't turn on the TV). Mastering these variations allows you to describe complex situations in daily life.

Permission Pattern

[Object] + を + つけてもいいですか (tsukete mo ii desu ka). This is the polite way to ask if you can turn something on.

In more advanced usage, 'tsukeru' can be combined with other verbs. For example, 'tsuke-っぱなし' (tsuke-ppanashi) means leaving something turned on. 'Terebi o tsuke-ppanashi ni shinaide kudasai' (Please don't leave the TV on). This highlights the importance of energy conservation in Japanese culture. Furthermore, the verb can be used for 'applying' things like perfume (kaosui o tsukeru) or makeup (keshou o tsukeru). While the core meaning of 'turning on' is the most frequent for A2 learners, being aware of these 'attachment' meanings will help you recognize the word in different contexts as you progress.

The word つけます is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, and you will encounter it in a variety of settings ranging from the intimate home environment to public spaces. In a Japanese home, the morning routine often begins with 'tsukeru'. You might hear a family member say, 'Terebi tsukete' (Turn on the TV) to catch the morning news or weather report. In the kitchen, the sound of a gas stove clicking as someone 'gasu o tsukeru' (turns on the gas) is a common morning sound. These domestic interactions are where the informal form 'tsukeru' or the command form 'tsukete' are most frequently used.

At Home

Used for daily chores and comfort. Turning on the bath heater (furo o tsukeru) or the lights when entering a room.

In the workplace, the register shifts to the polite 'tsukemasu'. When you arrive at the office, you might ask a colleague, 'Eakon o tsukemashou ka?' (Shall I turn on the air conditioner?). During a presentation, someone might say, 'Purojekutaa o tsukemasu' (I will turn on the projector). In these professional contexts, using the polite form is essential to maintain 'teinei' (politeness). You will also see the word on instructional signs. For example, near a light switch in a public restroom or a shared office space, there might be a sign saying 'shiyou go wa denki o keshite kudasai' (please turn off the light after use), which implies the 'tsukeru' action happened before.

In Public Spaces

Heard in announcements or seen on signs regarding the use of equipment, headlights in tunnels, or heating in trains.

Another interesting place you will hear 'tsukeru' is in the context of driving. 'Raito o tsukeru' (turn on the lights) or 'uinkaa o tsukeru' (turn on the blinker/turn signal) are standard phrases. Driving instructors and GPS navigation systems use these terms constantly. Even in the world of technology and gaming, when you 'power on' a console, the term used is often 'dengen o ireru' (put in the power), but 'tsukeru' is frequently used as a more casual synonym for turning on the screen or the device itself. In restaurants, you might hear a waiter say they will 'hi o tsukemasu' (light the fire) for a table-side hotpot (nabe).

In Transit

Drivers use it for headlights and signals. Passengers might ask to turn on the reading light on a long-haul bus.

Finally, in media like anime or dramas, 'tsukeru' is used to set the scene. A character coming home to a dark house and saying 'Tadaima' (I'm home) while 'denki o tsukeru' is a classic trope. It signifies a transition from the outside world to the safety and warmth of the home. By paying attention to these contexts, you will see that 'tsukemasu' is not just a verb but a social tool that helps manage the environment and interact with others politely and effectively. Whether you are in a quiet library or a bustling Izakaya, the act of 'turning on' is a constant part of the Japanese experience.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning つけます is confusing it with other verbs that mean 'to open' or 'to start'. In English, we sometimes say 'open the light' (especially in certain dialects or translations from other languages), but in Japanese, you must never use 'akeru' (to open) for electrical items. Using 'akeru' for a light would imply you are physically dismantling the light fixture to see inside. Always use 'tsukeru' for anything involving a switch or power. Similarly, do not use 'hajimeru' (to start) for a TV or radio; 'hajimeru' is for starting an activity or a process, not for activating a device.

Mistake 1: Using 'Akeru'

Incorrect: Denki o akemasu. Correct: Denki o tsukemasu. Reason: 'Akeru' is for physical openings like doors or windows.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between the transitive つける (tsukeru) and the intransitive つく (tsuku). Remember that 'tsukeru' requires an actor and the particle 'o'. If you say 'Denki ga tsukemasu', it sounds like the light itself is performing the action of turning something else on, which is nonsensical. If the light simply comes on (perhaps by a sensor or just describing its state), you use 'Denki ga tsukimasu'. For beginners, it is safest to stick to the '[Object] o tsukemasu' pattern when you are the one doing the action. This 'transitive-intransitive' pair is a major hurdle in Japanese grammar, and 'tsukeru/tsuku' is one of the first pairs you should master.

Mistake 2: Particle Confusion

Incorrect: Denki ga tsukemasu. Correct: Denki o tsukemasu. Reason: 'Tsukemasu' is transitive and needs the object marker 'o'.

Furthermore, learners often over-apply 'tsukeru' to things that require 'ireru' (to put in). While 'tsukeru' is fine for most appliances, the specific phrase for 'turning on the power' is 'dengen o ireru'. If you are talking about a computer, 'pasokon o tsukeru' is common, but in technical manuals, you will see 'dengen o irete kudasai'. Also, for things like faucets or taps, Japanese uses 'dasu' (to put out) or 'hineru' (to twist). Saying 'mizu o tsukeru' for turning on the water is a mistake; it should be 'mizu o dasu'. These nuances are what separate an intermediate learner from a beginner.

Mistake 3: Water and Taps

Incorrect: Mizu o tsukemasu. Correct: Mizu o dashimasu. Reason: Water flows out, it doesn't 'attach' or 'light up'.

Lastly, be careful with the Kanji. While 'tsukeru' has many Kanji (点ける, 付ける, 着ける, 漬ける), using the wrong one can change the meaning entirely. 漬ける (tsukeru) means to pickle vegetables! If you write 'denki o 漬ける', you are saying you want to pickle the lights. In most casual writing, using Hiragana (つける) is the safest way to avoid these Kanji-related blunders. As you reach A2 and B1 levels, you should start recognizing 点ける for lights and 付ける for general attachment, but when in doubt, Hiragana is your friend.

While つけます is the go-to verb for turning things on, the Japanese language offers several alternatives depending on the specific device or the formality of the situation. Understanding these synonyms will help you sound more natural and precise. The most common alternative for electronic devices is 入れる (ireru), specifically in the phrase 'dengen o ireru' (to turn on the power). This is often used for computers, machinery, or complex systems where you are 'putting in' the electrical current. While 'tsukeru' is more about the result (the light coming on), 'ireru' focuses on the initiation of the power supply.

Tsukeru vs. Ireru

'Tsukeru' is general and casual. 'Ireru' (with dengen) is more technical and precise for power sources.

For audio and media, you might encounter かける (kakeru). While you 'tsukeru' the radio (the device), you 'kakeru' the music or a CD (the content). If you say 'ongaku o tsukeru', people will understand you, but 'ongaku o kakeru' is the more idiomatic way to say 'play music'. Similarly, for a telephone call, you 'denwa o kakeru' (make a call), not 'tsukeru'. This distinction between the hardware and the software/content is a key feature of Japanese verb usage that learners should begin to notice at the A2 level.

Tsukeru vs. Kakeru

'Tsukeru' is for the device (TV, Radio). 'Kakeru' is for the media (Music, Record, CD).

In formal or technical contexts, you might see 起動する (kidou suru), which means 'to boot up' or 'to activate'. This is common in IT and business settings. When a system is starting up, it is 'kidou chuu' (booting). Another formal term is 点灯する (tentou suru), which specifically means 'to light up' or 'to illuminate'. You will see this in news reports or technical specifications, such as 'gaitou ga tentou suru' (the streetlights illuminate). While these are too formal for daily conversation, recognizing them in reading materials is a sign of advancing proficiency.

Formal Alternatives

'Kidou suru' for booting computers. 'Tentou suru' for the formal act of lighting up.

Finally, let's look at the opposite. The primary antonym is 消す (kesu), meaning to turn off or extinguish. Just as 'tsukeru' covers lights, TV, and fire, 'kesu' covers turning them off. For 'cutting the power' in a more technical sense, 切る (kiru) is used, as in 'dengen o kiru'. Understanding these pairs—tsukeru/kesu and ireru/kiru—is essential for functional Japanese. By learning these related words, you build a web of vocabulary that allows you to describe the entire lifecycle of using a device, from 'kidou' (booting) to 'kesu' (turning off).