気がつく

• Reading: きがつく
• Romaji: ki ga tsuku
• Kanji breakdown: 気 (ki/ke) — spirit, mind, air, feeling
• Pronunciation: /ki.ɡa.tsɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

To notice; to realise; to become aware of. Perceiving something previously unnoticed.

An idiomatic expression using the Group 1 (godan) verb つく (to attach). The pattern ～に気がつく means to become aware of something. Can also be written as 気が付く. Often used for mistakes (間違いに気がつく) and changes (変化に気がつく).

Examples

1. 電車に傘を忘れたことに気がついた。 I noticed that I had left my umbrella on the train.
2. 彼女の変化に誰も気がつかなかった。 Nobody noticed the change in her.
3. やっと自分の間違いに気がつきました。 I finally realized my own mistake.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, observation, mistakes

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

An idiomatic expression combining 気 (awareness, spirit) with the particle が and the verb つく (to attach, to arrive). Literally means one's awareness attaches to something — to become conscious of it.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal