Meaning
The kanji 付 (ふ, つ.ける, つ.く) has a range of meanings, mainly revolving around "attaching," "appending," "assigning," or "giving." Essentially, it signifies bringing one thing into contact with another, making it a part of something larger, or committing an item or task to someone. This can be as concrete as sticking a label onto a box, or as abstract as assigning a task to a person, or even incurring a cost.
Let's look at its origin. 付 is a phono-semantic compound. The left radical, 人 (にんべん), represents a 'person,' suggesting an action involving or related to a human. The right component, 寸 (すん), originally depicted a hand and later came to mean a 'cun' or 'inch' (a unit of measurement). In this specific context, 寸 serves as both a phonetic component and visually implies an action performed by hand, such as 'handling,' 'giving,' or 'applying.' Thus, the combination visually represents a person using their hand to attach, give, or assign something. This imagery offers a clear link between its visual form and its core meanings of attachment, assignment, or giving over.
Comprising 5 strokes, this kanji is taught in the 4th grade of Japanese elementary schools, highlighting its fundamental role in everyday vocabulary.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 付 is フ (FU). You'll typically find this reading in compound words, often at the beginning or in the middle, where it contributes meanings related to attachment, payment, or additional elements.
- 添付 (tenpu) — attachment (e.g., an email attachment). This refers to something added to a main document or message.
- 日付 (hizuke) — date. Although 日 uses its Kun'yomi, the 付 here takes on the フ sound, signifying the affixing of a date.
- 交付 (kōfu) — delivery, issue (of documents). This term implies handing over or giving something officially, often documents.
- 納付 (nōfu) — payment. This refers specifically to the act of submitting money, such as for taxes or fees.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings for 付 are very common in daily Japanese. You'll often find them as verbs or as part of nouns that describe a state of being attached or the act of attaching something.
つ.ける (tsukeru) — This is a transitive verb meaning "to attach," "to stick," "to add," "to put on," or "to apply." It implies an action performed by someone to join things.
名前を付ける (namae o tsukeru) — to name (literally, "to attach a name").
電気を付ける (denki o tsukeru) — to turn on the light (literally, "to attach the electricity/light").
条件を付ける (jōken o tsukeru) — to attach conditions.
つ.く (tsuku) — This is an intransitive verb meaning "to be attached," "to stick to," "to adhere," or "to be included." It describes a state of attachment or being joined.
汚れが付く (yogore ga tsuku) — dirt gets on (something); something becomes dirty.
匂いが付く (nioi ga tsuku) — a smell sticks to (something).
足跡が付く (ashiato ga tsuku) — footprints are left (on the ground).
-づ.け (-zuke) — This suffix is often used in compound nouns to indicate something "dated," "attached to," or "assigned to."
日付 (hizuke) — date (a document or item "attached" with a date).
条件付き (jōkenzuki) — with conditions (having conditions "attached").
〜付 (〜zuke) — as in 東京発６月５日付 (Tōkyō hatsu rokugatsu itsukazuke) — "dated June 5th, departing from Tokyo" (illustrates the 'dated' aspect).
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 付 appears in numerous Japanese words, consistently reflecting its core meanings of attachment, assignment, or giving. Below are some common words and compounds, categorized by their nuanced usage:
Words related to Attachment & Addition:
- 添付書類 (tenpu shorui) — attached documents
- 手付金 (tetsukekin) — deposit, earnest money (money "attached" to a deal as a commitment)
- 受付 (uketsuke) — reception desk; accepted (the place where one "applies" or is received)
- 身に付ける (mi ni tsukeru) — to acquire, to learn (to "attach" knowledge or skill to oneself)
- 気に付く (ki ni tsuku) — to notice, to realize (when something "attaches" to one's attention)
Words related to Assignment & Imposition:
- 義務付け (gimuzuke) — obligation, imposition of duty
- 条件付き (jōkenzuki) — with conditions (having conditions "attached")
- 負担を付ける (futan o tsukeru) — to impose a burden
Words related to Payment & Delivery:
- 支払い期日 (shiharai kijitsu) — payment due date
- 納付書 (nōfusho) — payment slip
- 交付金 (kōfukin) — subsidy, grant
- 貸付 (kashitsuke) — loan (the act of lending money or a loan itself)
Other useful compounds:
- 付録 (furoku) — appendix, supplement, free gift (something "attached" as extra)
- 付帯 (futai) — incidental, attached to (e.g., 付帯施設 - ancillary facilities)
Example Sentences
メールに写真を添付して送りました。
Mēru ni shashin o tenpu shite okurimashita.
I attached the photo to the email and sent it.
壁にポスターがしっかりと付いています。
Kabe ni posutā ga shikkari to tsuite imasu.
The poster is firmly attached to the wall.
この書類に日付を付けてください。
Kono shorui ni hizuke o tsukete kudasai.
Please put a date on this document.
その仕事には厳しい条件が付いています。
Sono shigoto ni wa kibishii jōken ga tsuite imasu.
Strict conditions are attached to that job.
税金の納付は来月までです。
Zeikin no nōfu wa raigetsu made desu.
Tax payment is due by next month.
この製品には無料の保証が付いています。
Kono seihin ni wa muryō no hoshō ga tsuite imasu.
This product comes with a free warranty.
彼は自分の意見を述べ、さらに補足の説明を付け加えた。
Kare wa jibun no iken o nobe, sarani hosoku no setsumei o tsukekuwaeta.
He expressed his opinion and added supplementary explanations.
この契約には複数の条件付き条項が含まれています。
Kono keiyaku ni wa fukusū no jōkenzuki jōkō ga fukumarete imasu.
This contract includes several conditional clauses.
Memory Tip
To remember 付, picture a person (人) using their hand (寸, which here represents a hand gesture) to attach something to an object or hand something over. You can think of this as someone making an attachment or assigning a task. The combination of the person and hand visually conveys the action of "attaching" or "giving." Imagine a person sticking a label on a package, or handing over a payment. This simple visual story will help you recall the kanji's main meanings of "attach," "append," and "assign."