Japanese word of the day: 着る (Kiru)

What does 着る (Kiru) mean?

着る (Kiru) (る-verb, transitive) – To wear; to put on (clothes). This verb is used when you put on clothing that covers your upper body or whole body, such as shirts, jackets, dresses, or coats. It’s one of the most common verbs you’ll use when talking about getting dressed in Japanese.

Kanji details for 着

Character: 着 — don, arrive, wear, counter for suits of clothing
Radical: eye 目

Example sentences with 着る (Kiru)

• 今日は新しいシャツを着ます。
  (Kyō wa atarashii shatsu o kimasu.)
  👕 I’m wearing a new shirt today.

• 寒いのでコートを着てください。
  (Samui node kōto o kite kudasai.)
  🧥 Please put on a coat because it’s cold.

• 彼女は赤いドレスを着ていました。
  (Kanojo wa akai doresu o kiteimashita.)
  👗 She was wearing a red dress.

Confused about how to conjugate 着る?
Our conjugation tables can help.

着る (Kiru) in context

着る is the go-to verb for putting on or wearing most types of clothing, especially those that go over your shoulders. For items worn on the lower body, like pants or shoes, Japanese uses different verbs: 履く (haku) for pants, skirts, and shoes, and 被る (kaburu) for hats.

A quick tip: The te-form, 着て (kite), is useful for giving instructions or describing what someone is wearing right now.

Whether you’re talking about your daily outfit, getting ready for work, or dressing up for a special occasion, 着る is the essential verb for wearing clothes in Japanese.