Translation and Meaning of: 着 - chaku

The Japanese word 着[ちゃく] is a versatile term frequently used in everyday life in Japan. Its primary meaning is related to the act of wearing or putting on clothes, but it can also indicate arrival or connection in certain contexts. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and most common uses of this word, along with tips for memorizing it effectively.

If you are learning Japanese, you may have encountered 着 in different situations, whether in store advertisements, indications of train stations, or even in dialogues from animes. Here at Suki Nihongo, we aim to provide clear and practical explanations so that you can master the language with confidence. Shall we get started?

Meaning and uses of 着[ちゃく]

The word 着[ちゃく] has two main meanings. The first is related to the act of wearing clothes, as in 着物[きもの] (kimono) or 試着[しちゃく] (trying on clothes). The second meaning refers to arrivals or connections, as in 到着[とうちゃく] (arrival) or 乗り換え駅に着く[のりかええきにつく] (arrive at the transfer station).

In everyday life, it is common to see this word in department stores, where it reads 試着室[しちゃくしつ] (fitting room). It also appears in train announcements, such as 終点に着きました[しゅうてんにつきました] (we have arrived at the final destination). This duality of meanings makes 着 a very useful word for those studying Japanese.

Origin and writing of the kanji 着

The kanji 着 is composed of the radical 目 (eye) at the top and 羊 (sheep) at the bottom. Originally, it represented the idea of "looking at the sheep," but its meaning evolved to "to wear" or "to arrive." This transformation occurred due to metaphorical use in ancient Chinese, which directly influenced Japanese.

In modern writing, 着 is one of the most frequent kanjis at the N4 level of the JLPT. Its kun'yomi readings are き (ki) or つ (tsu), while the on'yomi reading is チャク (chaku). Memorizing these readings may be easier if we associate 着物[きもの] (traditional clothing) and 到着[とうちゃく] (arrival), two common words that use different readings of the same kanji.

Tips for memorizing and using 着 correctly

An effective way to fix the meaning of 着 is to create mental associations. For example, imagine someone wearing a kimono (着物) while getting off a train that has just arrived (到着). This image combines the two main meanings of the word in a single visual context, making it easier to memorize.

Another tip is to practice with everyday phrases, such as この服を着てみたい (I want to try on this outfit) or 何時に駅に着きますか (What time do you arrive at the station?). Using apps like Anki with cards that include images and real-life examples can also speed up learning. Remember: spaced repetition is a great ally in studying Japanese vocabulary.

Curiosities about 着 in Japanese culture

In Japan, the word 着 has a special meaning when related to traditions. The 着物, for example, is not just a garment but a cultural symbol that varies according to the occasion, age, and social status. Knowing how to use the term correctly demonstrates respect for the local culture.

It's interesting to note that, although 着 is common in formal contexts, it also appears in informal situations. Young people use 着る[きる] (to wear) in their daily lives, while the elderly may prefer お召しになる[おめしになる], a more polite form. This variation shows how a simple word can reflect different levels of formality in Japanese society.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 着用 (chakuyou) - Use or wear a piece of clothing.
• 着る (kiru) - Wear, put on a piece of clothing.
• 着こなす (kinanasu) - Dressing well, wearing stylish clothing.
• 着せる (kiseru) - Put clothing on someone or on an object.
• 着替える (kigaeru) - Change clothes, alter the outfit.
• 着手する (chakushu suru) - Start or begin a job or task.
• 着陸する (chakuriku suru) - Land, like a plane touching the ground.
• 着火する (chakka suru) - Light the fire.

着

Romaji: chaku
Kana: ちゃく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: clothes counter; getting at ..

Meaning in English: counter for suits of clothing;arriving at ..

Definition: Dress up. Put it on and leave.

Example Sentences - (着) chaku

See below some example sentences:

着々と目標に近づいている。

Chakuchaku to mokuhyou ni chikazuite iru

I am constantly progressing toward my goal.

It is constantly approaching the goal.

• 着々と - Adverb that means "gradually" or "constantly"
• 目標 - Noun that means "objective" or "goal"
• に - particle that indicates the direction or target of the action
• 近づいている - verb that means "getting closer" or "getting close"

瞳を見つめると心が落ち着く。

Hitomi wo mitsumeru to kokoro ga ochitsuku

When I look in the eyes

Looking into my eyes, my heart calms down.

• 瞳 - means "pupil" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 見つめる - a verb that means "to stare" in Japanese.
• と - connecting particle in Japanese.
• 心 - means "heart" or "mind" in Japanese.
• が - subject particle in Japanese.
• 落ち着く - a verb that means "to calm down" or "to be serene" in Japanese.

瞑ることで心を落ち着かせることができます。

Meiru koto de kokoro wo ochitsukaseru koto ga dekimasu

You can calm your heart closing.

• 瞑る (hirou) - close your eyes
• ことで (koto de) - through
• 心 (kokoro) - heart, mind
• を (wo) - object particle
• 落ち着かせる (ochitsukaseru) - calm down
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - it is possible to do

私は所有物に執着しない。

Watashi wa shoyūbutsu ni shūchaku shinai

I am not attached to my material goods.

I don't keep the property.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 所有物 (shoyuu-butsu) - Japanese noun meaning "property, belongings"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
• 執着 (shuuchaku) - Japanese noun meaning "attachment, fixation"
• しない (shinai) - negative form of the Japanese verb "suru" which means "to do", in this case "not do"

私は古い着物を繕いました。

Watashi wa furui kimono wo tsukuroimashita

I fixed an old kimono.

I noticed the old kimono.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 古い (furui) - adjective meaning "old"
• 着物 (kimono) - noun meaning "kimono", a traditional Japanese garment
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 繕いました (tsukuraimashita) - verb that means "I fixed" or "I repaired"

私は毎晩パジャマを着ます。

Watashi wa maiban pajama wo kimasu

I see pajamas every night.

I use pajamas every night.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎晩 (maiban) - adverb that means "every night"
• パジャマ (pajama) - noun that means "pajamas"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 着ます (kimasu) - verb meaning "to put on"

私は今日着る服を決めていない。

Watashi wa kyō kiru fuku o kimete inai

I still haven't decided what outfit to wear today.

I haven't decided on the clothes I wear today.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 今日 - Japanese adverb that means "today"
• 着る - Japanese verb meaning "to put on"
• 服 - Japanese noun that means "clothing"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 決めていない - Japanese verb conjugated in the negative meaning "not to have decided"

私は背広を着て会議に出席します。

Watashi wa sebiro o kite kaigi ni shusseki shimasu

I'm going to wear a suit and attend the meeting.

I will attend the meeting wearing a suit.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 背広 - Japanese noun meaning "suit"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 着て - Japanese verb meaning "to put on"
• 会議 - Japanese noun meaning "meeting"
• に - Japanese particle indicating the place where the action takes place
• 出席します - Japanese verb meaning "to attend"

私は着替える必要があります。

Watashi wa kigaeru hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to change clothes.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 着替える - verb that means "to change clothes"
• 必要 - noun meaning "need"
• が - subject particle that indicates that "necessity" is the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb that means "to have" or "to exist" in the polite form

私の上着はとても暖かいです。

Watashi no uwagi wa totemo atatakai desu

My jacket is very hot.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 上着 - noun that means "coat"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 暖かい - adjective that means "hot"
• です - verb that indicates the polite and respectful form of the present, equivalent to "is/are"