着る
kiru[kʲiɾɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase for "I wear" is 着る (kiru).
The verb 着る is used specifically for clothing that covers the upper body, such as shirts, coats or sweaters.
Which one should you use?
In Japanese, the verb used for wearing depends on the body part being covered. While you use 着る for upper-body garments, you cannot use it for pants or shoes. Instead, you must use a different verb, 履く, for the lower body and feet.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 着る can express both a habitual action, such as something you typically wear and a future intention to put something on. If you want to describe the state of currently wearing something, you should use the continuous form 着ています rather than the simple form 着る.
How do you pronounce it?
kiru
Did you know?
- When someone says they are 'wearing' a certain expression on their face, Japanese speakers use 浮かべる (ukaberu), which means 'to float'.
- The verb 'kiru' can also mean 'to cut' when written with different kanji, which can lead to confusion in written texts if the context is not clear.
- Japanese has a distinct verb, 纏う (matou), which means 'to wear' or 'to wrap oneself in' and is used in literature or poetry to describe wearing an aura, a scent or a cloak of mystery.
Examples in context
- 冬にはコートを着るんだよ。I wear an overcoat in the winter.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 着る when discussing seasonal clothing like an overcoat.Tatoeba #9134239 by bunbuku, translation #396177 by CK
- Watashi wa akai doresu wo kiteimasu. (私は赤いドレスを着ています。)I am wearing a red dress.
- Boku wa kuroi jaketto wo kiru. (僕は黒いジャケットを着る。)I wear a black jacket.
- Watashi wa Harajuku fasshon wo kiru (私は原宿ファッションを着る。)I wear Harajuku fashion.
- Watashi wa kimono wo kiteimasu (私は着物を着ています。)I am wearing a kimono.
- 新しいシャツを着る。Atarashii shatsu o kiru.I wear a new shirt.
- 寒い時は厚いセーターを着る。Samui toki wa atsui seetaa o kiru.I wear a thick sweater when it is cold.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about what to wear to a party.
- 陽葵 Himariパーティーに何を着る？Paatii ni nani o kiru?What will you wear to the party?
- 健太 Kentaおしゃれなジャケットを着るよ。Oshare na jaketto o kiru yo.I will wear a stylish jacket.
- 陽葵 Himari健太君、それは似合うと思うよ。Kenta-kun, sore wa niau to omou yo.Kenta, I think that will suit you.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、楽しみだ。Arigatou, tanashimi da.Thanks, I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 着る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
