Meaning
Whether you are getting dressed in the morning or catching a train, you will encounter the kanji 着 everywhere. At the N4 level, this character pulls double duty. It represents both the physical act of wearing clothes and the spatial concept of reaching a destination.
While these meanings seem different, they share a core concept of 'contact.' When you put on a shirt, it touches your skin. Similarly, when you arrive at a station, you make contact with your goal. Visually, the character is a modified version of the sheep radical (羊) on top of the eye radical (目). Historically, it branched off from the kanji 著 (to write or stand out). Today, it is a Grade 3 kanji and requires 12 strokes to write correctly. You will see it constantly on travel schedules and clothing tags.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi is チャク (chaku). This reading appears in formal terms for transportation and logistics. It also serves as the specific counter for sets of clothing or suits.
- 到着 (touchaku) — arrival (e.g., at an airport)
- 着信 (chakushin) — an incoming call or message
- 三着 (sanchaku) — third place in a race, or three suits of clothes
- 順着 (junchaku) — arriving in order
The secondary reading ジャク (jaku) is less common. You will mostly find it in words describing emotional attachment or obsession.
- 執着 (shuuchaku) — attachment or obsession
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are essential for everyday conversation. The verb き.る (kiru) is used for putting on clothes from the shoulders down, such as shirts, sweaters, and coats.
- 着物 (kimono) — literally 'thing to wear'
- 上着 (uwagi) — jacket or outerwear
The verb つ.く (tsuku) describes arriving at a location. It is the most natural way to say you have reached your destination.
- 駅に着く (eki ni tsuku) — to arrive at the station
The transitive form きせる (kiseru) means to dress someone else (like a child), while つける (tsukeru) means to attach or fix something to a surface.
Common Words & Compounds
Mastering these compounds will help you navigate Japanese fashion and travel systems with ease.
Clothing and Fashion
- 下着 (shitagi) — Underwear (literally 'under-wear')
- 水着 (mizugi) — Swimsuit (literally 'water-wear')
- 着替え (kigae) — A change of clothes
- 試着 (shichaku) — Trying on clothes in a fitting room
- 部屋着 (heyagi) — Loungewear or pajamas
Arrival and Transportation
- 発着 (hatchaku) — Departures and arrivals (common on station signs)
- 終着 (shuuchaku) — The final stop of a line
- 着陸 (chakuriku) — An airplane landing
- 定着 (teichaku) — Becoming established or taking root in a place
Useful Phrases
- 落ち着く (ochitsuku) — To calm down or feel at home
- 一着 (icchaku) — First place in a race, or one suit
Example Sentences
駅に着いたら、すぐに連絡してください。
eki ni tsuitara, sugu ni renraku shite kudasai.
Please contact me as soon as you arrive at the station.
今日は新しい青いシャツを着ています。
kyou wa atarashii aoi shatsu wo kite imasu.
I am wearing a new blue shirt today.
飛行機は午後７時に到着する予定です。
hikouki wa gogo nanaji ni touchaku suru yotei desu.
The plane is scheduled to arrive at 7:00 PM.
外は寒いので、厚手の上着を着てください。
soto wa samui node, atsude no uwagi wo kite kudasai.
It is cold outside, so please put on a thick coat.
緊張しないで、もっと落ち着いてください。
kinchou shinaide, motto ochitsuite kudasai.
Don't be nervous; please calm down.
店員さんに「これを試着してもいいですか」と聞きました。
ten'in-san ni "kore wo shichaku shite mo ii desu ka" to kikimashita.
I asked the shop assistant, "May I try this on?"
就職祝いに、スーツを一着買ってもらいました。
shuushoku iwai ni, suutsu wo icchaku katte moraimashita.
I had a suit bought for me as a gift for starting my new job.
Related Kanji
- 転 — Revolve, Turn, Change (Kanji N4)
- 洗 — Wash (Kanji N4)
- 走 — Run, Move fast (Kanji N4)
- 思 — To Think, Feel, Imagine (Kanji N4)
- 持 — Hold, Possess, Carry (Kanji N4)
- 便 — Convenience, Facility, Communication (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
To remember 着, imagine a traveler sheep (羊). This sheep is very picky about its appearance. Before it arrives at its destination, it looks into a mirror with its large eye (目) to check if its woolly 'clothes' look okay. The long diagonal stroke is the sheep's tail tucked into its outfit. Just remember: "The sheep uses its eye to check its clothes when it arrives."