着る vs 身につける
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 着る
Listen to 身につける
| 着る | 身につける |
|---|---|
KI-ru verb (ichidan) | みにつける verb (ichidan) |
| to wear; to put on (clothes, typically upper-body garments) | to wear; to have on one's person (covers clothing and accessories), also figuratively 'to acquire' a skill or habit |
How they differ
身につける emphasizes having something on one's body and is often used for accessories (jewelry, watches) or figuratively for acquiring skills, whereas 着る mainly refers to putting on garments (typically clothing for the body, upper garments) and does not carry the 'acquire a skill' meaning.
When to use each
When to use 着る: Use 着る when talking about putting on or wearing garments (shirts, dresses) in ordinary contexts.
When to use 身につける: Use 身につける when talking about wearing accessories (rings, necklaces) or when you mean 'to acquire' or 'to master' a skill or habit.
Side-by-side examples
- 彼女は白いドレスを着ていた。
(She was wearing a white dress.) - 彼女はいつも高価なネックレスを身につけている。
(She always wears an expensive necklace.)
Register & nuance: 身につける is neutral and used in both spoken and written Japanese; it is broader and can be literal (wearing items) or figurative (acquiring skills).