着る vs. 着ける: Use Them Depending on the Goods
What is the difference between “着る and 着ける”? They have subtle differences. If you wear your T-shirt, which one is correct to use: “着る or 着ける”? What about your watch? After reading this, you would be answering this question. Let me introduce what their subtle differences are and how you correctly use them such as native speakers today!
着る (kiru)
Wear/Put on / 穿 / 입다 / Mặc
“着る” means “Wear or Put on” and which has been used as the meaning of “to have clothes”. “着ている(state)” means “to wear” and “着る(action)” means “to put on”. “着る” is used the clothes for your upper body such as shirt, T-shirt, jacket, blouse, coat, hoody, camisole, tank top etc, which mean “着る” is not used the clothes for the lower body that is “はく” such as trousers, pants, jeans, leggings, skirt, slacks and etc.




着ける (tsukeru)
Wear/Put on / 戴上 / 대다/입다 / Đeo Mang
“着ける” means “Wear or Put on” and which has been used as the meaning of “to have only jewelry”. “着けている(state)” means “to wear” and “着ける(action)” means “to put on”. “着ける” is used for only jewelry such as a watch, earrings, etc. Furthermore, “かぶる” is used only for “hats” such as “私は帽子をかぶる” which means “I put on a hat.). Again the word “着ける” is used only for jewelry, not clothes, that is “着る”.


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