靴を履く
kutsu o haku
To wear shoes in Japanese is 靴を履く (kutsu o haku).
The phrase 靴を履く is used to describe the action of putting shoes on your feet or the state of having them on.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 靴 (shoes), を (the object marker particle) and 履く (to wear on the lower body).
Which one should you use?
While 靴を履く refers to wearing something on the lower body, you must use a different verb, 着る, for upper-body clothing such as shirts or jackets.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 履く is specifically used for clothing or accessories worn on the lower half of the body, such as shoes, pants or skirts.
How do you pronounce it?
kutsu o haku
Did you know?
- While 履く is used for shoes, Japanese uses an entirely different verb, 被る, for things worn on the head like hats. This means there are at least four different verbs for 'to wear' depending on the body part.
- In Japan, the act of 靴を脱ぐ (taking off shoes) is considered a psychological transition that separates the 'dirty' public world from the 'pure' private home.
- The verb 履く is also used for items that do not seem like clothing to English speakers, such as wearing a prosthetic limb or a brace on the leg.
Examples in context
- 外出する前に靴を履く。Gaishutsu suru mae ni kutsu o haku.Put on shoes before going out.
