附 — Attach, Append, Refer

Meaning

Let's explore the N1 kanji, 附! Fundamentally, 附 means 'to attach,' 'append,' 'refer to,' or 'accompany.' It describes adding one thing to another, often in a formal or official context, or signifying that something belongs to or is associated with another entity.

While 附 shares a very similar meaning with the more common kanji 付 ('attach'), it typically carries a slightly more formal, official, or specialized nuance. You'll often find it in legal documents, academic texts, or administrative contexts, where it implies a dependent or supplemental attachment.

Historically, 附 is considered a variant character of 付. Visually, 附 combines two components: the left-hand radical 阜 (ふ, or こざとへん), which suggests a 'hill,' 'mound,' or 'step,' and often relates to places, boundaries, or structures. On the right, we have 付 (フ), which inherently means 'to attach' or 'to stick.'

Combined, the 阜 radical can be thought of as providing a specific context or location for the 'attachment' (付). This evokes a sense of something purposefully placed alongside, dependent on, or supplemental to a main structure or idea. Unlike a simple joining, this attachment feels more integral, as if something is deliberately 'attached' to a 'designated spot' or 'section'.

This kanji has 8 strokes and is a jōyō kanji designated for secondary school use. Its inclusion in the N1 level reflects its advanced usage, as it is not taught in elementary school.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary, and almost exclusive, on'yomi reading for 附 is フ (fu). This reading is highly prevalent in nearly all compound words containing 附, particularly those with formal or technical meanings. Therefore, when encountering 附, you can almost always expect the 'フ' sound.

• 添付てんぷ (tempu) — This compound means 'attachment,' commonly used for files attached to an email or documents accompanying an application. It implies adding something extra to a main item.
• 付属ふぞく (fuzoku) — Meaning 'attached,' 'affiliated,' or 'belonging to,' this is often used for institutions or departments that are part of a larger organization, like a university's affiliated hospital. It signifies a subordinate or dependent relationship.
• 付録ふろく (furoku) — This refers to an 'appendix,' 'supplement,' or 'extra' item, such as a bonus gift with a magazine or an additional section in a book. It’s something given or included along with the main product.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

While 附 shares its core meaning of 'attach' with the kanji 付 (which famously uses kun'yomi like つ.ける tsukeru for 'to attach' and つ.く tsuku for 'to stick'), 附 itself is almost exclusively found in formal compound words using its on'yomi 'フ'. Consequently, you won't commonly encounter 附 with native Japanese kun'yomi in isolation or in simple verbs. Its primary role is to form precise, often technical terms in written Japanese, where the Chinese-derived reading is standard.

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 附 features in a variety of formal and nuanced compound words, typically related to adding, accompanying, or being part of a larger entity. Here are some key examples:

• 添付てんぷ (tempu) — Attachment; often refers to files attached to an email or documents accompanying an application.

例：メールに資料を添付てんぷする。 (To attach materials to an email.)

• 付属ふぞく (fuzoku) — Attached; affiliated; accessory. Used for things that belong to or are part of a larger entity, like a university's affiliated school or a device's accessories.

例：この大学には付属ふぞく高校があります。 (This university has an affiliated high school.)

• 付帯ふたい (futai) — Incidental; accessory; attendant. Often used with conditions or services that come along with a main agreement or product.

例：その契約にはいくつかの付帯ふたい条件がある。 (There are several attached conditions in that contract.)

• 付与ふよ (fuyo) — Grant; bestowal; impartation. Refers to formally granting rights, powers, or privileges.

例：会員に特別な権限を付与ふよする。 (To grant special authority to members.)

• 付録ふろく (furoku) — Appendix; supplement; extra. An additional item or section, often found in magazines or books.

例：雑誌の付録ふろくはいつも人気です。 (Magazine supplements are always popular.)

• 寄附きふ (kifu) — Donation; contribution. The act of donating money or goods to an organization or cause.

例：彼は病院に多額の寄附きふをした。 (He made a large donation to the hospital.)

• 附則ふそく (fusoku) — Supplementary rules; by-laws. Additional rules or provisions that supplement a main law or regulation.

例：法律の附則ふそくに詳細が記されている。 (The details are written in the supplementary rules of the law.)

• 附置ふち (fuchi) — Establish; attach (a facility). Refers to establishing an institution or facility as an appendage or part of a larger body.

例：市役所に新しい相談窓口が附置ふちされた。 (A new consultation counter was established at the city hall.)

• 付記ふき (fuki) — Postscript; addendum; additional note. A remark or note added at the end of a letter, document, or speech.

例：手紙の最後に付記ふきとして一言添えた。 (I added a word as a postscript at the end of the letter.)

• 付着ふちゃく (fuchaku) — Adhesion; sticking; attachment. The physical act of something sticking or adhering to a surface.

例：壁に泥が付着ふちゃくしていた。 (Mud was sticking to the wall.)

• 付託ふたく (futaku) — Entrust; commit. To formally entrust a matter, task, or responsibility to someone or a committee.

例：この問題は委員会に付託ふたくされた。 (This issue was entrusted to the committee.)

Example Sentences

Memory Tip

To help remember 附, let's break down its components. On the left, we find the radical 阜 (こざとへん), which often implies a 'hill,' 'mound,' 'step,' or even a boundary or structure. On the right is 付, meaning 'to attach' or 'to stick.'

Envision yourself with a crucial, perhaps official, document. You need to 'attach' a special 'supplementary section' (付) to its 'side' or 'boundary' (阜). This imagery underscores a formal and specific attachment, much like adding an annex to a building or an addendum to a legal text. The 'hill' radical lends a sense of a distinct place or context for this addition, distinguishing it from a more general attachment. Picture something being deliberately affixed to a designated spot.