付く

• Reading: つく
• Romaji: tsuku
• Kanji breakdown: 付 (fu/tsu) — attach, adhere; person radical (亻) + 寸 (measure)
• Pronunciation: /t͡sɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

To be attached; to stick to; to adhere; to cling to a surface.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb with many extended meanings depending on context. Core meaning is something becoming attached. Common uses: 汚れが付く (a stain sticks), 味が付く (flavour develops), 力が付く (strength builds up). Forms a pair with the transitive 付ける (tsukeru, to attach).

Examples

1. 服にペンキが付いてしまった。 I accidentally got paint on my clothes.
2. 机の上にほこりが付いています。 There's dust stuck on the desk.
3. 靴に泥が付いたので洗います。 My shoes got muddy so I'm going to wash them.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, cleaning, description

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 付 combines the person radical (亻) with 寸 (a unit of measure/hand), suggesting one person reaching out to attach or connect with something.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal