When talking about turning on electronic devices, lights, or even air conditioning, the verb you'll often hear and use is 点ける (つける). It's a versatile verb that applies to a wide range of things that get 'switched on.' So, if you want to say you turned on the TV, the light, or the heater, this is the verb you'll reach for.
§ Don't confuse 点ける (tsukeru) with 付ける (tsukeru)
This is a big one. Both are pronounced 'tsukeru', but they have different kanji and different meanings. 点ける (tsukeru) specifically means 'to turn on' or 'to light up'. 付ける (tsukeru) has a much broader meaning like 'to attach', 'to add', 'to put on', or 'to apply'. It's easy to mix them up if you're just listening, so pay attention to the context.
- DEFINITION
- 点ける (tsukeru): To turn on; to switch on (lights, appliances).
- DEFINITION
- 付ける (tsukeru): To attach, to add, to put on, to apply, etc.
§ Using 点ける (tsukeru) for opening a door or window
While in English you might say 'turn on the fan' or 'turn on the light', you wouldn't say 'turn on the door'. In Japanese, it's the same. 点ける (tsukeru) is for things that emit light, sound, or operate electronically. For opening doors or windows, you'll use different verbs like 開ける (akeru).
部屋の電気を点けてください。
Please turn on the room light.
窓を開けてください。
Please open the window.
§ Not using the correct particle with 点ける (tsukeru)
When you use 点ける (tsukeru), you almost always need to use the direct object particle を (o) to indicate what you are turning on.
テレビを点けてもいいですか？
Is it okay if I turn on the TV?
§ Forgetting the intransitive counterpart: 点く (tsuku)
点ける (tsukeru) is a transitive verb, meaning it needs a direct object (you turn *something* on). Its intransitive counterpart is 点く (tsuku), meaning 'to turn on (by itself)', or 'to be lit'. This is a common pair of verbs in Japanese (transitive/intransitive) that often trips up learners.
Transitive: 部屋の電気を点ける。(I turn on the room light.)
Intransitive: 電気が点く。(The light turns on/is lit.)
The key difference is who or what is performing the action. With 点ける (tsukeru), someone is actively turning something on. With 点く (tsuku), the thing itself is turning on or being lit, without a stated agent.
彼がストーブを点けました。
He turned on the stove.
ストーブが点きました。
The stove turned on.
§ Understanding 点ける (Tsukeru)
You've learned that 点ける (つける・tsukeru) means "to turn on" or "to switch on" lights and appliances. It's a common and very useful verb. But Japanese often has multiple words that seem similar in English. Let's look at how 点ける fits in and what other words you might encounter.
- DEFINITION
- To turn on; to switch on (lights, appliances).
電気を点けてください。
Hint: Please turn on the light.
テレビを点けました。
Hint: I turned on the TV.
§ Similar Words and Key Differences
While 点ける specifically refers to turning on lights or electrical devices, there are other verbs that express "starting" or "attaching" depending on the context.
始める (はじめる・hajimeru): To start (an action, a task, a meeting). This is for initiating an activity, not activating a device.
起動する (きどうする・kidō suru): To start up (a computer, a system). This is a more formal or technical term for powering on complex electronic systems.
着ける (つける・tsukeru): To attach, to put on (e.g., clothes, accessories), to apply (e.g., makeup). This word sounds identical to 点ける but has a different kanji and meaning. Context is key here!
入れる (いれる・ireru): To put in, to insert. Sometimes used in contexts like turning on hot water (お湯を入れる・oyu o ireru - literally "to put in hot water"). However, for electric lights/appliances, 点ける is preferred.
§ When to Always Use 点ける
Stick with 点ける for:
Lights: 電気 (denki - electricity/light), 電灯 (dentō - electric lamp)
Televisions, radios, air conditioners, heaters, fans, and other standard household electronic appliances.
Fires, candles, or matches (火を点ける・hi o tsukeru).
§ Practical Takeaway
For most everyday situations where you're turning on an appliance or a light, 点ける is your go-to verb. Don't overthink it. If you're physically flipping a switch or pressing a power button on an electrical item, 点ける is likely the correct choice.
Fun Fact
点ける shares its root with other words related to 'attaching' or 'marking,' like 点 (ten - point/dot) and 付ける (tsukeru - to attach).
Grammar to Know
When expressing the direct object of "点ける", use the particle "を".
電気を点ける (denki o tsukeru) - to turn on the light
"点ける" can be used for various things that emit light or sound, or start functioning.
テレビを点ける (terebi o tsukeru) - to turn on the TV
The potential form of "点ける" is "点けられる" (tsukerareru), meaning "can turn on".
このスイッチは点けられますか？ (Kono suitchi wa tsukeraremasu ka?) - Can this switch be turned on?
The passive form is "点けられる" (tsukerareru), meaning "to be turned on".
電気が点けられた (Denki ga tsukerareta) - The light was turned on
The causative form is "点けさせる" (tsukesaseru), meaning "to make someone turn on" or "to let someone turn on".
子供に電気を点けさせた (Kodomo ni denki o tsukesaseta) - I made my child turn on the light.
Examples by Level
部屋が暗かったので、電気を点けました。
The room was dark, so I turned on the light.
テレビを点けてニュースを見ましょう。
Let's turn on the TV and watch the news.
寒くなってきたので、暖房を点けてもいいですか？
It's getting cold, so can I turn on the heater?
ろうそくを点けて、ロマンチックな雰囲気を作りました。
We lit candles and created a romantic atmosphere.
懐中電灯を点けて、足元を照らしました。
I turned on the flashlight and illuminated my feet.
ストーブを点けたまま寝ないでください。
Please don't sleep with the stove on.
車のエンジンを点けて出発しましょう。
Let's turn on the car engine and depart.
彼女はいつも寝る前にアロマランプを点けています。
She always turns on an aroma lamp before going to sleep.
Often Confused With
This is the direct opposite: to turn off; to extinguish. If you 'tsukeru' something, you later 'kesu' it.
To put in; to insert. While you might 'insert' a plug, you would 'tsukeru' the appliance. 'Ireru' can also mean to turn on when referring to power directly, like 電源を入れる (dengen o ireru) - to turn on the power.
To move; to operate. While turning something on might 'ugokasu' it, 'ugokasu' focuses on the movement or operation itself, not the act of switching it on.
Idioms & Expressions
"電気を点ける (denki o tsukeru)"
To turn on the light.
部屋が暗いから、電気を点けてください。 (Heya ga kurai kara, denki o tsukete kudasai.) - It's dark in the room, so please turn on the light.
neutral"テレビを点ける (terebi o tsukeru)"
To turn on the TV.
ニュースを見たいから、テレビを点けた。 (Nyūsu o mitai kara, terebi o tsuketa.) - I want to watch the news, so I turned on the TV.
neutral"エアコンを点ける (eakon o tsukeru)"
To turn on the air conditioner.
暑いから、エアコンを点けてもいいですか？ (Atsui kara, eakon o tsuketemo ii desu ka?) - It's hot, so can I turn on the air conditioner?
neutral"火を点ける (hi o tsukeru)"
To light a fire.
キャンプで焚き火に火を点けた。 (Kyanpu de takibi ni hi o tsuketa.) - I lit a bonfire at the camp.
neutral"ロウソクを点ける (rōsoku o tsukeru)"
To light a candle.
停電だったので、ロウソクを点けた。 (Teiden datta node, rōsoku o tsuketa.) - There was a power outage, so I lit a candle.
neutral"ラジオを点ける (rajio o tsukeru)"
To turn on the radio.
運転中にラジオを点けて音楽を聴く。 (Untenchū ni rajio o tsukete ongaku o kiku.) - I turn on the radio and listen to music while driving.
neutral"ヒーターを点ける (hītā o tsukeru)"
To turn on the heater.
寒い冬の夜にはヒーターを点けるのが一番だ。 (Samui fuyu no yoru ni wa hītā o tsukeru no ga ichiban da.) - Turning on the heater is the best on a cold winter night.
neutral"ストーブを点ける (sutōbu o tsukeru)"
To turn on the stove (heating appliance).
昔の家ではストーブを点けて暖を取った。 (Mukashi no ie de wa sutōbu o tsukete dan o totta.) - In old houses, people turned on stoves to keep warm.
neutral"信号を点ける (shingō o tsukeru)"
To turn on the indicator/blinker (in a car).
曲がる前に信号を点けてください。 (Magaru mae ni shingō o tsukete kudasai.) - Please turn on your blinker before turning.
neutral"ガスの火を点ける (gasu no hi o tsukeru)"
To light the gas (e.g., for cooking).
料理をするために、ガスの火を点けた。 (Ryōri o suru tame ni, gasu no hi o tsuketa.) - I lit the gas fire to cook.
neutralEasily Confused
Many verbs are pronounced 'tsukeru', but are written with different kanji and have different meanings. This version means to attach, to put on, or to turn on.
This specific 'tsukeru' often refers to attaching or applying something. However, it can also mean to turn on, specifically for lights or appliances, like 点ける. The key is context and sometimes the kanji.
電気を付ける (denki o tsukeru) - To turn on the light. / 壁に絵を付ける (kabe ni e o tsukeru) - To attach a picture to the wall.
Similar to 'tsukeru', 'tsuku' has multiple kanji and meanings. This version is the intransitive form of 'tsukeru', meaning to be attached, to be on.
While 'tsukeru' is transitive (someone turns something on), 'tsuku' is intransitive (something is on by itself). It implies a state of being attached or being on.
電気が付く (denki ga tsuku) - The light turns on / is on. / 服にゴミが付く (fuku ni gomi ga tsuku) - Dust gets on the clothes.
Another verb with many meanings and kanji. This 'kakeru' can mean to hang, to put on (glasses), or to make a call.
While 'tsukeru' (点ける) specifically means to turn on a device, 'kakeru' (掛ける) refers more to actions like hanging something, placing something over, or initiating an action (like making a call). It's not typically used for turning on electronic devices.
電話を掛ける (denwa o kakeru) - To make a phone call. / 眼鏡を掛ける (megane o kakeru) - To put on glasses.
Can sometimes be confused in the context of starting or setting something up, but its primary meaning is to put or place.
This verb means to put or place an object in a certain location. It does not mean to turn on a device. While you might 'put' a device somewhere, you wouldn't 'oku' it on.
本を机に置く (hon o tsukue ni oku) - To put a book on the desk. / 傘を玄関に置く (kasa o genkan ni oku) - To put an umbrella at the entrance.
Means to begin or to start, which can sometimes be related to starting a device, but it's more general.
'Hajimeru' is a general verb for starting an action or process. 'Tsukeru' (点ける) is specific to turning on power to an appliance. You might 'hajimeru' a game after 'tsukeru' the console.
仕事を始める (shigoto o hajimeru) - To start work. / 映画が始まる (eiga ga hajimaru) - The movie begins.
Word Family
Nouns
How to Use It
When you want to express the action of turning something on, like a light, a TV, or air conditioning, the verb to use is 点ける (tsukeru).
The direct object of 点ける is marked with the particle を (o). So, you'll often see patterns like:
テレビを点ける (terebi o tsukeru) - to turn on the TV
電気を点ける (denki o tsukeru) - to turn on the light
エアコンを点ける (eakon o tsukeru) - to turn on the air conditioning
A common mistake for English speakers is confusing 点ける (tsukeru) with 付ける (tsukeru), which is also pronounced 'tsukeru' but means 'to attach' or 'to stick on.' While they share the same pronunciation, their kanji and usage are distinct. Remember, 点ける is for turning on appliances or lights.
Another mistake is using other verbs like 開ける (akeru) 'to open' or 始める (hajimeru) 'to start' when you mean 'to turn on.' These verbs have different specific uses.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'tsukeru' as 'to 'stick' something 'to' a power source, turning it on.'
Visual Association
Imagine a giant finger 'sticking' down onto a light switch, turning it on with a 'tsu' sound, and the light 'keru-plunking' on.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use '点ける' in a sentence about something you turn on every day. For example, '毎朝、コーヒーメーカーを点けます。' (I turn on the coffee maker every morning.)
Word Origin
Native Japanese (Yamato kotoba)
Original meaning: To attach, to light
JaponicCultural Context
When offering to turn on a light for someone, it's common to use 'お点けしましょうか？' (O-tsuke shimashou ka?), adding the honorific 'o-' for politeness. It’s a simple act of hospitality.
Test Yourself 54 questions
Listen for 'turn on the light'.
Listen for 'turn on the TV'.
Listen for 'Shall I turn on the air conditioner?'
Read this aloud:
電気を点けて。
Focus: tsukete
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
エアコンを点けます。
Focus: tsukemasu
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
テレビを点けてもいいですか。
Focus: tsuketemo ii desu ka
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
電気を___ください。(Denki o ___ kudasai.)
To ask someone to turn on the light, you use 点ける (tsukeru).
テレビを___たいです。(Terebi o ___ tai desu.)
To say you want to turn on the TV, you use 点ける (tsukeru).
ストーブを___と、部屋が暖かくなります。(Sutōbu o ___ to, heya ga atatakaku narimasu.)
To say that turning on the stove makes the room warm, you use 点ける (tsukeru).
エアコンを___てもいいですか。(Eakon o ___ temo ii desu ka?)
To ask if it's okay to turn on the air conditioner, you use 点ける (tsukeru).
朝、ラジオを___ます。(Asa, rajio o ___ masu.)
To say you turn on the radio in the morning, you use 点ける (tsukeru).
まだ暗いので、電気を___ましょう。(Mada kurai node, denki o ___ mashō.)
To suggest turning on the light because it's still dark, you use 点ける (tsukeru).
Choose the correct particle for this sentence: 電気___点ける。
When '点ける' (tsukeru) is used to turn on an object, the direct object particle 'を' (o) is used to mark the object being turned on.
Which of these is NOT something you would typically '点ける' (tsukeru)?
You turn on lights, TVs, and air conditioners. You don't 'turn on' water in the same sense; you would open a faucet (蛇口をひねる - jaguchi o hineru).
What is the polite masu-form of '点ける' (tsukeru)?
For ru-verbs like '点ける', you remove 'る' and add 'ます' to form the polite masu-form.
You can use '点ける' (tsukeru) to say 'turn on the radio'.
'点ける' (tsukeru) is used for turning on electronic devices, including a radio (ラジオ - rajio).
If you say '窓を点ける' (mado o tsukeru), it means 'turn on the window'.
'点ける' (tsukeru) means 'to turn on'. Windows are not something you turn on. You would '開ける' (akeru - open) or '閉める' (shimeru - close) a window.
'電気を点けてください' (denki o tsukete kudasai) means 'Please turn on the light'.
'点けてください' (tsukete kudasai) is the te-form of '点ける' (tsukeru) followed by 'ください' (kudasai), which means 'please do (something)'. So, '電気を点けてください' means 'Please turn on the light'.
Someone is asking to turn on the lights in a room.
Someone is saying that the TV won't turn on.
Someone is asking permission to turn on the air conditioner.
Read this aloud:
ラジオを点けてください。
Focus: tsukete (点けて)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
パソコンが点きません。
Focus: tsukimasen (点きません)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
ランプを点ける。
Focus: tsukeru (点ける)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
リモコンでテレビの電源を___。
「点ける」は機械や電気製品の電源を入れるときに使います。「付ける」は一般的に何かをくっつける場合に使われます。
部屋が暗かったので、電気を___。
「電気を点ける」が正しい表現です。明かりをつける意味で使います。
目覚まし時計を___のを忘れて、寝坊してしまった。
目覚まし時計の場合は「かける」を使います。「目覚まし時計を点ける」とは言いません。
ストーブを___前に、換気扇を回してください。
暖房器具の電源を入れる場合も「点ける」を使います。
このスイッチは、どこに___とエアコンが動きますか。
エアコンの電源を入れる場合も「点ける」を使います。
ラジオを___て、ニュースを聞きましょう。
ラジオの電源を入れる場合も「点ける」を使います。
This sentence means 'Please turn on the TV.' The particle を (o) marks テレビ (terebi - TV) as the direct object of the verb 点けて (tsukete - turn on). ください (kudasai) is used to make a polite request.
This sentence means 'I will turn on the lights in the room.' 部屋 (heya - room) with the particle の (no) modifies 電気 (denki - lights). を (o) marks 電気 as the direct object, and 点けます (tsukemasu) is the polite form of 点ける (tsukeru).
This sentence means 'May I turn on the air conditioner?' エアコン (eakon - air conditioner) is the direct object, marked by を (o). 点けてもいいですか (tsuketemo ii desu ka) is a common phrase to ask for permission, meaning 'Is it okay if I turn on...?'
暗いから、電気を___ください。(It's dark, so please ___ the light.)
The plain form of the verb '点ける' (to turn on) is 'つける'. The request form '〜てください' (please do ~) attaches to the plain form of the verb.
寒いので、暖房を___ましょうか。(It's cold, so shall I ___ the heater?)
The volitional form '〜ましょうか' (shall I/we do ~?) is used to offer to do something. The stem of '点ける' (つける) is 'つけ'.
部屋を出るときは、エアコンを___ことを忘れないでください。(When you leave the room, please don't forget to ___ the air conditioner.)
The phrase '〜ことを忘れないでください' (please don't forget to do ~) requires the plain form of the verb before 'こと'.
テレビが___まま寝てしまいました。(I fell asleep with the TV still ___.)
The '〜ている' form indicates a state or ongoing action. Here, 'ついている' (is on/has been turned on) describes the state of the TV.
朝早く起きて、ストーブを___のが日課です。(Waking up early and ___ the stove is my daily routine.)
When a verb acts as a noun, it can be followed by 'の' or 'こと'. Here, 'つけるの' (the act of turning on) functions as a noun.
電気が___なかったら、懐中電灯を使ってください。(If the lights don't ___, please use a flashlight.)
The conditional '〜なかったら' (if not ~) requires the negative plain form of the verb. 'つかない' is the negative plain form of 'つく' (to turn on/be lit), which is the intransitive counterpart of '点ける' (つける).
Imagine you're house-sitting for a friend. Write a short message explaining that you've turned on the lights in the living room and the air conditioning because it was getting warm. Use precise Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
お留守番ありがとう！リビングの電気を点けました。暑くなってきたので、エアコンも点けました。
You are giving instructions to a new colleague on how to set up the conference room for a presentation. Explain that they need to turn on the projector and the microphone system. Be clear and concise.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
会議室の準備をお願いします。プロジェクターとマイクシステムを点けてください。
Describe a situation where someone might forget to turn something off before leaving home, and the consequences. Focus on using '点ける' correctly in context.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
朝、急いで家を出る時に、うっかりリビングの電気を点けたままにしてしまった。帰宅したら、部屋は明るいまま。電気代が無駄になってしまった。
この状況で、高齢の女性は何を点けましたか？
Read this passage:
今日の午後、突然の停電がありました。幸い、すぐに復旧しましたが、多くの人が暗闇の中で電気が点くのを待ちました。ある高齢の女性は、ラジオを点けて情報を収集していました。
この状況で、高齢の女性は何を点けましたか？
パッセージに「ある高齢の女性は、ラジオを点けて情報を収集していました」と明記されています。
パッセージに「ある高齢の女性は、ラジオを点けて情報を収集していました」と明記されています。
新しいスマートホームシステムの利点は何ですか？
Read this passage:
新しいスマートホームシステムを導入しました。これにより、スマートフォンから家の照明やエアコンを遠隔で点けることができます。特に冬の寒い日には、家に着く前に暖房を点けておけるのでとても便利です。
新しいスマートホームシステムの利点は何ですか？
パッセージに「スマートフォンから家の照明やエアコンを遠隔で点けることができます」と書かれています。
パッセージに「スマートフォンから家の照明やエアコンを遠隔で点けることができます」と書かれています。
レストランの開店準備で、最初に何を点けますか？
Read this passage:
レストランの開店準備は大変だ。まず、厨房の換気扇を点けて、オーブンを予熱する。次に、客席の照明を全て点け、BGMを流すためにステレオを点ける。これで、お客様を迎える準備が整う。
レストランの開店準備で、最初に何を点けますか？
パッセージには「まず、厨房の換気扇を点けて、オーブンを予熱する」とありますので、換気扇が最初です。
パッセージには「まず、厨房の換気扇を点けて、オーブンを予熱する」とありますので、換気扇が最初です。
This means 'Please turn on the TV.' The object particle を (o) comes after the object テレビ (terebi - TV), and 点けて (tsukete) is the te-form of 点ける (tsukeru - to turn on), used here with ください (kudasai) to form a request.
This translates to 'May I turn on the light in the room?' 部屋の電気 (heya no denki) means 'the light of the room'. 点けてもいいですか (tsukete mo ii desu ka) is a common way to ask for permission, using the te-form of the verb followed by もいいですか.
This sentence means 'When I turned on the air conditioner, it immediately got cool.' エアコン (eakon) is 'air conditioner'. 点けたら (tsuketara) is the tara-form of 点ける, indicating a conditional 'if' or 'when'. すぐに (sugu ni) means 'immediately' and 涼しくなった (suzushiku natta) means 'became cool'.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More home words
上に
B1Above; on top of.
不在
B1Absent; not present. Not in a particular place.
手頃な
B1Affordable, reasonable (price).
お先に
B1Excuse me for going first; said when leaving before others.
仲介
B1Mediation, agency (e.g., real estate).
あっ
B1Ah!; an exclamation of sudden realization or surprise.
エアコン
A2air conditioner
冷暖房
B1Air conditioning and heating system.
風通しの良い
B1Well-ventilated; airy.
～可
A2Suffix meaning "permitted" or "allowed".
