How to Say "To Wear" in Japanese

着る

kiru[kʲiɾɯ̟]

To wear in Japanese is 着る (kiru).

The verb 着る is used specifically for clothing worn on the upper body, such as shirts, sweaters or jackets.

Which one should you use?

Japanese uses different verbs depending on which part of the body the item covers.

To describe the state of currently having clothes on your body, use the continuous form 着ている instead of the simple form 着る.

kiru

English speakers often mistakenly use 着る for all types of clothing.

The word 着る shares the same pronunciation as the verb 'to cut' (切る), but they are written with different characters to avoid confusion.
If you are wearing something on your head, such as a cap, you use the verb 被る (kaburu), which is also the word used for 'to be covered' or 'to be sheltered' by something like rain or an umbrella.
Because Japanese verbs are so specific to body parts, even the concept of 'putting on' something is highly granular. For example, to wear a ring or a bracelet, you would use the verb はめる (hameru), which also means 'to fit' or 'to insert' something into a space.

着る物がないの。
I don't have a thing to wear.
This sentence shows how to use 着る to talk about having things to wear.
Tatoeba #126602 by tommy__san, translation #277446 by CK
本当にあれ着るつもり？
Are you really going to wear that?
This sentence uses 着る to ask about a person's intention to wear something.
Tatoeba #8599712 by small_snow, translation #3320177 by Hybrid
トムは、まだ着るものを決められないでいる。
Tom still hasn't decided what to wear.
This sentence uses 着る to describe someone deciding on what to wear.
Tatoeba #8681414 by bunbuku, translation #7542429 by CK
私は赤いドレスを着ます。
I will wear a red dress.
彼は帽子を被（かぶ）ります。
He will wear a hat.
私は靴を履（は）きます。
I will wear shoes.
今日はジーパンを履（は）くよ。
I'll wear jeans today.
この帽子かわいいから、つけてみて。
Try wearing this cute hat.
7 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Kenta are getting ready to go out in the evening.

美咲 Misaki

少し寒いから、コートを着て。
sukoshi samui kara, kooto o kite.
It's a little cold, so put on a coat.
健太 Kenta

わかった。これ、着るね。
wakatta. kore, kiru ne.
Okay. I'll wear this.
美咲 Misaki

健太、そのジャケットは似合っているよ。
Kenta, sono jaketto wa niatte iru yo.
Kenta, that jacket looks good on you.
健太 Kenta

ありがとう、美咲。
arigatou, Misaki.
Thank you, Misaki.

Sources

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