Japanese chooses different verbs for putting on different items. Learn a small outfit as verb–noun pairs instead of translating every item with 着る.
Group the items by how they are worn
着る is used with upper-body clothing such as a shirt or coat. 履く is used with items such as trousers, skirts, socks, and shoes. 被る is used with a hat. Glasses commonly use かける, a watch uses する, and gloves use はめる.
These groupings are useful starting points, not a rule that covers every accessory. A dictionary example can settle an unfamiliar combination. Store シャツを着る and 靴を履く as phrases, including を.
Putting on and currently wearing
シャツを着ます can describe putting on a shirt. シャツを着ています ordinarily describes wearing it. The same distinction helps with 靴を履いています. In this drill, a request for the dictionary verb expects 着る rather than an entire description of what someone is wearing.
Examples to read before you practise
Japanese | Reading / English |
|---|---|
シャツを着る | シャツをきる — put on a shirt |
コートを着る | コートをきる — put on a coat |
靴を履く | くつをはく — put on shoes |
帽子を被る | ぼうしをかぶる — put on a hat |
眼鏡をかける | めがねをかける — put on glasses |
時計をする | とけいをする — wear a watch |
手袋をはめる | てぶくろをはめる — put on gloves |
シャツを着ています。 | I am wearing a shirt. |
Try six questions
Use the interactive practice below. Type only the requested expression. Kanji and kana alternatives are accepted where listed in the answer key. Completing a question records a result; opening the answer key does not.
シャツを（ ）。 Dictionary verb for putting on a shirt.
靴を（ ）。 Dictionary verb.
帽子を（ ）。 Dictionary verb.
眼鏡を（ ）。 Dictionary verb.
着る → polite te-iru form
時計を（ ）。 Dictionary verb in the table.
Answer key and explanations
着る / きる — Upper-body clothing uses 着る.
履く / はく — Shoes use 履く.
被る / かぶる — Hats use 被る.
かける — Glasses commonly use かける.
着ています / きています — 着ている describes wearing.
する — A watch commonly uses する.
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