This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 verb 9 min read

着きます

Examples 着きます in 30 Seconds
Explanation 着きます in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners focus on the simplest use of 着きます (tsukimasu) to describe arriving at common locations like school, home, or the station. The emphasis is on the basic [Place] に 着きます structure. Students learn that this verb describes the end of a movement. They also learn the basic polite past tense, 着きました (tsukimashita), to say 'I arrived.' At this stage, the focus is purely on physical movement and simple time markers like '9 o'clock.' Understanding that 'ni' is the required particle for the destination is the key grammatical hurdle. Exercises often involve matching pictures of destinations with the correct sentence. The goal is to be able to tell a teacher or friend that you have reached a destination or will reach one shortly.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 着きます to include more complex time expressions and the use of adverbs. They begin to use phrases like 'mou sugu' (soon) or 'yatto' (finally) to add nuance to their arrival. A2 students also learn to use the particle 'de' to specify the means of transport, such as 'densha de' (by train) or 'kuruma de' (by car). They should be able to ask others about their arrival time using 'Nan-ji ni tsukimasu ka?' and understand the difference between the non-past form (will arrive/usually arrives) and the past form. This level also introduces the concept of the verb as part of a sequence, though often kept simple. The learner can now navigate basic travel scenarios in Japan, such as understanding station announcements or informing a host of their expected arrival time.
By B1, learners are comfortable with the various forms of 着く (the dictionary form). they start using it in conditional sentences like 'Eki ni tsuitara, denwa shite kudasai' (When you arrive at the station, please call). They also begin to distinguish between 着きます and its more formal counterpart, 到着します (touchaku shimasu), recognizing when to use each based on the social context. B1 students can describe more abstract arrivals, such as a package arriving or a message reaching someone (though they also learn 'todoku'). They understand the 'te-iru' form (tsuite imasu) to express the state of having arrived and being present. Their vocabulary around the word grows to include specific terms like 'teikoku' (on schedule) or 'okureru' (to be delayed).
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, the learner uses 着きます and its derivatives with high precision. They can handle honorific versions like 'o-tsuki ni naru' (respectful) and 'mairu' (humble) in business contexts. They understand how to use the verb in complex grammatical structures, such as nominalized clauses or as part of compound verbs like 'tadoritsuku' (to struggle to reach). B2 learners are also aware of the kanji homophones and never confuse 着く (arrive) with 点く (light up) or 突く (poke). They can write professional emails confirming arrival times and can interpret nuanced announcements in public spaces that might use more sophisticated vocabulary. Their understanding of the cultural importance of punctuality in Japan deeply informs how they use this verb in social interactions.
Sign up free to read full explanation
C1 learners possess a near-native grasp of the verb's nuances. They use 着く in literary and metaphorical contexts, understanding how it can describe reaching a certain stage in life, a specific age, or a complex conclusion in a debate. They are familiar with idiomatic expressions and can switch fluidly between various levels of politeness depending on the hierarchy of the conversation. They can analyze the etymology of the kanji and understand its historical connection to 'wearing' and 'attaching.' At this level, the learner doesn't just use the word; they understand its place in the broader tapestry of Japanese linguistics, including its relationship to transitive/intransitive pairs and its role in classical Japanese literature.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, the mastery of 着きます is absolute. The learner can use the word in any register, from extremely casual slang to the most formal imperial court language if necessary. they can appreciate the subtle poetic uses of the word in Haiku or modern prose, where 'arrival' might symbolize death, birth, or enlightenment. They can explain the grammatical intricacies of the verb to others and can identify regional dialects where the word might be replaced or modified. For a C2 speaker, 着きます is not just a vocabulary item but a versatile tool used to navigate the deepest levels of Japanese culture and thought, reflecting a total integration of the language's spatial and temporal concepts.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

着きます in 30 Seconds

  • Tsukimasu means 'to arrive' at a place or time.
  • Always use the particle 'ni' to mark your destination.
  • Use 'tsukimashita' for the past tense 'arrived'.
  • It is commonly heard in train announcements and travel plans.

The Japanese verb 着きます (tsukimasu) is a fundamental part of the Japanese language, primarily translated as 'to arrive' or 'to reach' a destination. At its core, it signifies the completion of a journey or the point in time when a person, vehicle, or object reaches a specific location. It is the polite (masu-form) of the dictionary verb 着く (tsuku). This word is essential for travelers, business professionals, and students alike, as it forms the basis of scheduling, coordinating meetings, and navigating public transportation in Japan.

Spatial Completion
The primary use is physical. When you move from point A to point B, the moment you step onto point B, you use 着きます. It focuses on the end-point rather than the process of traveling.
Temporal Precision
In the context of time, it is used to state when a train, bus, or airplane is scheduled to land or pull into a station. It is a 'punctual' verb, meaning the action happens at a specific moment.

東京駅に 着きます。
(Toukyou-eki ni tsukimasu.)
I will arrive at Tokyo Station.

Understanding the particle usage is crucial. In Japanese, the destination is marked by the particle に (ni). While へ (e) indicates direction, に specifically highlights the target or the point of arrival, which is why it is almost exclusively used with 着きます. Using を (wo) or で (de) for the destination would be grammatically incorrect in this context, though で can be used to describe the method of transport (e.g., densha de tsukimasu - arriving by train).

飛行機は三時に 着きます。
(Hikouki wa san-ji ni tsukimasu.)
The plane arrives at three o'clock.

The Kanji Connection
The kanji 着 represents clothing or 'wearing' in other contexts (e.g., kiru), but when read as tsu-ku, it historically relates to 'sticking to' or 'attaching to' a place. Think of it as your body 'attaching' to the destination.

In daily life, you will hear this word constantly in train announcements. For example, 'Mamonaku, Shibuya ni tsukimasu' (Shortly, we will arrive at Shibuya). It is also the standard way to answer the phone when someone asks 'Where are you now?' or 'When will you be here?'. You might say 'Mou sugu tsukimasu' (I'll be there soon). This sense of 'nearing the end of a journey' is the heart of the word.

もうすぐ学校に 着きます。
(Mou sugu gakkou ni tsukimasu.)
I will arrive at school very soon.

会社に何時に 着きます か。
(Kaisha ni nan-ji ni tsukimasu ka?)
What time will you arrive at the office?

Using 着きます (tsukimasu) correctly requires a solid understanding of Japanese particles and sentence structure. As an intransitive verb, it doesn't take a direct object (you don't 'arrive something'). Instead, it describes a state of reaching a location. The standard sentence pattern is: [Destination] に [Time] に 着きます.

The Role of 'Ni'
The particle に is the most important companion to 着きます. It marks the specific point in space where the arrival occurs. For example, 'Hotel ni tsukimasu' (Arrive at the hotel). It can also mark the specific point in time: 'Go-ji ni tsukimasu' (Arrive at five o'clock).

明日の朝、京都に 着きます。
(Ashita no asa, Kyoto ni tsukimasu.)
I will arrive in Kyoto tomorrow morning.

When describing the means of arrival, you use the particle で (de). This allows you to explain how you reached the destination. 'Basu de tsukimasu' means 'I will arrive by bus.' Combining these, you get complex but clear sentences: 'Shinkansen de Osaka ni hachi-ji ni tsukimasu' (I will arrive in Osaka by Shinkansen at 8 o'clock).

やっと家へ 着きました。
(Yatto ie e tsukimashita.)
I finally arrived home.

Using with Adverbs
Common adverbs used with 着きます include mou sugu (soon), yatto (finally), buji ni (safely), and osoku (late). These provide context to the arrival.

Another important structure is the negative form 着きません (tsukimasen). This is often used when a train is delayed or when someone is lost. 'Mada tsukimasen' (I haven't arrived yet) is a very common phrase when reporting progress during a trip.

荷物はまだ 着きません。
(Nimotsu wa mada tsukimasen.)
The luggage has not arrived yet.

In polite conversation, especially when making plans, you might use the question form 着きますか (tsukimasu ka). This is the standard way to ask for an ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival). 'Nan-ji ni tsukimasu ka?' is the universal question for 'What time will you get there?' or 'What time does it arrive?'.

無事に目的地に 着きました。
(Buji ni mokutekichi ni tsukimashita.)
I arrived safely at the destination.

If you spend any time in Japan, 着きます (tsukimasu) will likely be one of the first verbs you hear in the wild. Its most frequent usage occurs in the realm of transportation, which is the lifeblood of Japanese society. From the automated voices on the Shinkansen to the bus driver's announcements, the word is ubiquitous.

Train Station Announcements
The phrase 'Mamonaku, [Station Name] ni tsukimasu' is iconic. It means 'We will soon arrive at [Station Name].' Passengers rely on this verb to know when to prepare their belongings and stand up to exit the train.

次は新宿に 着きます。
(Tsugi wa Shinjuku ni tsukimasu.)
Next, we will arrive at Shinjuku.

In casual social settings, 着きます is used via messaging apps like LINE. When meeting friends, it is common to send a quick message saying 'Ato go-fun de tsukimasu' (I'll arrive in 5 minutes). This is a polite way to keep others updated on your progress, especially if you are running slightly behind schedule. In Japan, keeping people informed about your arrival time is considered a basic social etiquette.

バスは定刻に 着きます。
(Basu wa teikoku ni tsukimasu.)
The bus arrives on schedule.

Travel Planning
When booking a hotel or a tour, the staff might ask: 'Nan-ji goro ni o-tsuki ni narimasu ka?' (Around what time will you arrive?). While this uses the honorific o-tsuki ni naru, the root verb remains 着く.

In business, 着きます is used to confirm that documents or emails have reached their destination. While todokimasu (to be delivered) is also common, 着きます is perfectly acceptable when talking about a person reaching an office or a physical letter reaching a desk.

五分遅れて 着きます。
(Go-fun okurete tsukimasu.)
I will arrive five minutes late.

Lastly, in literature and news, you might see it used metaphorically, such as arriving at a conclusion or a decision, although tassuru (to reach) or itaru (to arrive at) are more formal alternatives for abstract concepts. In daily spoken Japanese, however, 着きます remains the king of arrival.

Even though 着きます (tsukimasu) seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble on a few specific areas. The most common errors involve particle choice, confusion with similar-sounding verbs, and tense misapplication.

Mistake 1: Using 'Wo' (を) for Destination
In English, we say 'I reached the station.' The station looks like an object. In Japanese, 着きます is intransitive. You cannot say 'Eki wo tsukimasu.' It must be 'Eki ni tsukimasu.' The destination is a point in space, not an object being acted upon.

❌ 日本を着きました。
(Incorrect: Nihon wo tsukimashita.)
✅ 日本に 着きました。
(Correct: Nihon ni tsukimashita.)

Another frequent point of confusion is the homophone 点きます (tsukimasu), which means 'to be lit' or 'to turn on' (like a light). While they sound identical, the kanji and context are completely different. If you say 'Light ni tsukimasu,' people might think you are arriving at a light bulb rather than turning it on!

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Tsukimasu' and 'Ikimasu'
Learners often use ikimasu (to go) when they should use 着きます. If you want to say 'I'll be there at 5,' 着きます is better because it focuses on the arrival. Ikimasu focuses on the departure or the movement toward the place.

五時に駅に 着きます。
(Go-ji ni eki ni tsukimasu.)
I will arrive at the station at 5:00.

Finally, watch out for the 'state' of having arrived. In English, we say 'I am here.' In Japanese, you can say 'Tsuite imasu' (I have arrived and am currently here). Beginners often just say 着きます, which sounds like 'I am about to arrive' or 'I will arrive,' which might cause confusion if you are already standing right in front of the person!

今、駅に 着いています。
(Ima, eki ni tsuite imasu.)
I have arrived at the station (and I'm here now).

Japanese has several ways to express arrival, depending on the context, the object arriving, and the level of formality. While 着きます (tsukimasu) is the most versatile, knowing these alternatives will make your Japanese sound more natural and sophisticated.

到着する (Touchaku suru)
This is a more formal, Sino-Japanese (Kango) version of 'to arrive.' You will see this on airport monitors (Arrivals = 到着) and in business reports. While 着きます is used in daily speech, touchaku suru is for official schedules.
届く (Todoku)
This specifically means 'to be delivered' or 'to reach' as in a package, letter, or even a voice reaching someone. Use todoku when the focus is on the item being sent to you.
至る (Itaru)
A very formal or literary word meaning 'to lead to' or 'to arrive at' a situation or conclusion. You wouldn't use this for arriving at a grocery store!

飛行機が 到着しました。
(Hikouki ga touchaku shimashita.)
The airplane has arrived (Formal/Official).

When comparing 着きます and 到着する, think of the difference between 'get there' and 'arrive.' In a casual chat with a friend, 着きます is perfect. In a formal presentation about logistics, 到着 is expected. Another word, tadoritsuku, emphasizes the effort or difficulty in reaching a destination, like 'to finally manage to reach' after a long struggle.

メールが 届きました。
(Meeru ga todokimashita.)
The email has arrived (reached me).

Lastly, consider the verb mairu. In humble speech (Kenjougo), you use mairimasu to say 'I arrive' or 'I go/come' when speaking to someone of higher status. This is very common in customer service. However, for a learner at the A2 level, mastering 着きます is the priority before diving into humble forms.

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

駅に着きます。

I will arrive at the station.

Basic [Place] ni tsukimasu structure.

2

家に着きました。

I arrived home.

Past tense 'tsukimashita'.

3

学校に着きますか。

Will you arrive at school?

Question form 'tsukimasu ka'.

4

九時に着きます。

I will arrive at 9 o'clock.

Time marker 'ni' with tsukimasu.

5

友達が着きました。

My friend arrived.

Subject 'ga' with tsukimashita.

6

どこに着きますか。

Where will you arrive?

Question word 'doko' (where).

7

今、着きました。

I arrived just now.

Adverb 'ima' (now).

8

バスが着きます。

The bus will arrive.

Vehicle as the subject.

1

電車で東京に着きます。

I will arrive in Tokyo by train.

Using 'de' for means of transport.

2

もうすぐホテルに着きます。

I will arrive at the hotel soon.

Adverb 'mou sugu' (soon).

3

飛行機は何時に着きますか。

What time does the plane arrive?

Asking for specific arrival time.

4

やっと京都に着きました。

I finally arrived in Kyoto.

Adverb 'yatto' (finally).

5

三時ごろに着きます。

I will arrive around 3 o'clock.

'Goro' (around) for approximate time.

6

荷物は明日着きます。

The luggage will arrive tomorrow.

Object (luggage) as the subject.

7

無事に駅に着きました。

I arrived safely at the station.

Adverbial phrase 'buji ni' (safely).

8

遅れて着きます。

I will arrive late.

Verb 'okurete' (being late) as an adverb.

1

駅に着いたら、電話してください。

Please call me when you arrive at the station.

Conditional 'tara' (when/if).

2

予定より早く着きました。

I arrived earlier than scheduled.

Comparison 'yori hayaku' (earlier than).

3

まだ目的地に着いていません。

I haven't arrived at the destination yet.

Negative state 'tsuite imasen'.

4

会議の前に着くようにします。

I will try to arrive before the meeting.

'You ni shimasu' (try to/make sure to).

5

ちょうどいい時間に着きました。

I arrived at just the right time.

Phrase 'choudo ii jikan' (perfect timing).

6

メールが届くのを待っています。

I am waiting for the email to arrive.

Using 'todoku' for digital arrival.

7

どちらのホームに着きますか。

Which platform will it arrive at?

Specific destination 'home' (platform).

8

無事に着いたと聞いて安心しました。

I was relieved to hear that you arrived safely.

Reporting 'tsuita to kiite'.

1

電車は定刻通りに駅に着きます。

The train arrives at the station on schedule.

Formal phrase 'teikoku doori' (on schedule).

2

目的地に辿り着くのに時間がかかった。

It took time to struggle to the destination.

Compound verb 'tadoritsuku'.

3

お客様は間もなくお着きになります。

The guest will arrive shortly.

Honorific 'o-tsuki ni naru'.

4

荷物が着き次第、ご連絡します。

I will contact you as soon as the luggage arrives.

Grammar 'shidai' (as soon as).

5

結論に辿り着くまで議論を続けた。

We continued the discussion until we reached a conclusion.

Metaphorical arrival at a 'ketsuron' (conclusion).

6

始発列車が着く前に準備を終える。

Finish preparations before the first train arrives.

Noun 'shihatsu ressha' (first train).

7

飛行機の到着が大幅に遅れています。

The arrival of the plane is significantly delayed.

Noun 'touchaku' with 'okureteiru'.

8

五分前には着くように心掛けています。

I make it a point to arrive five minutes early.

Habitual 'kokoro-gakete iru'.

1

交渉はようやく合意に漕ぎ着けた。

The negotiations finally managed to reach an agreement.

Idiom 'kogitsukeru' (to row to/reach).

2

長年の研究がようやく実を結ぶ段階に着いた。

Years of research have finally reached the stage of bearing fruit.

Abstract arrival at a 'dankai' (stage).

3

彼はついにその境地に着いたのだ。

He has finally reached that level of mastery/state of mind.

Spiritual/mastery arrival 'kyouchi'.

4

目的地への到着を最優先事項とする。

Make arrival at the destination the top priority.

Formal noun usage in a report.

5

不測の事態により、到着が危ぶまれる。

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the arrival is in doubt.

Advanced verb 'ayabumareru' (to be endangered).

6

情報の真偽を確かめる段階に着いている。

We have reached the stage of verifying the truth of the information.

Complex nominalization.

7

手紙が着くのと入れ違いに出発した。

I departed just as the letter arrived (passing each other).

Expression 'irechigai' (passing each other).

8

人生の終着点に着くとき、何を思うだろうか。

What will one think when reaching the final destination of life?

Philosophical usage.

1

幾多の困難を乗り越え、悲願の頂点に着いた。

Overcoming numerous difficulties, they reached the long-cherished pinnacle.

High-level literary 'higan' and 'chouten'.

2

その言説は、真理の一端に着いていると言えよう。

One could say that discourse reaches a part of the truth.

Epistemological usage.

3

万策尽きて、ついにこの結論に着かざるを得ない。

Having exhausted all options, I am forced to reach this conclusion.

Formal negative 'zaru wo enai'.

4

彼の思想は、東洋哲学の真髄に着いている。

His thought reaches the essence of Eastern philosophy.

Intellectual depth 'shinzui'.

5

この道は、古の都へと着く一筋の光であった。

This road was a single ray of light leading to the ancient capital.

Poetic/Metaphorical.

6

運命の糸に導かれ、二人はこの場所に着いた。

Guided by the red thread of fate, the two arrived at this place.

Romantic/Literary.

7

静寂の中に、悟りの境地へと着く鍵がある。

In the silence lies the key to reaching the state of enlightenment.

Religious/Philosophical.

8

歴史の転換点に着いた今、我々は何をなすべきか。

Now that we have reached a turning point in history, what should we do?

Sociopolitical usage.

Common Collocations

駅に着く
家に着く
定刻に着く
ホテルに着く
九時に着く
目的地に着く
無地に着く
遅れて着く
早く着く
やっと着く

Common Phrases

もうすぐ着きます

— I'll be there soon / We're arriving shortly.

もうすぐ駅に着きます。

何時に着きますか

— What time will you/it arrive?

飛行機は何時に着きますか。

無事に着きました

— I arrived safely.

お母さん、無事に着きましたよ。

やっと着きました

— I finally arrived.

十時間かかって、やっと着きました。

どこに着きましたか

— Where did you arrive? (Useful if lost).

今、どこに着きましたか。

ちょうどに着きます

— It arrives exactly on time.

電車は九時ちょうどに着きます。

遅れて着きます

— It will arrive late.

バスは十分遅れて着きます。

早めに着きました

— I arrived a bit early.

約束の時間の早めに着きました。

まだ着きません

— It hasn't arrived yet.

注文した本がまだ着きません。

明日着きます

— It will arrive tomorrow.

荷物は明日着きます。

Idioms & Expressions

"終着駅に着く"

— To reach the end of the line (literally and figuratively).

この恋も終着駅に着いた。

Poetic
"目的地に漕ぎ着ける"

— To manage to reach a goal after much effort.

ようやく合意に

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

抵达 Chinese
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!