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就く (つく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

就つく

つ

く

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

take a seat or position; assume office; take a job

Only when written 就く

Used with に for entering or taking up a place, post, duty, course, or employment: 席に就く, 職に就く, 任に就く. It is intransitive; the role or place is marked with に.

See also: 付く (つく)

会かい議ぎが始はじまるので、席せきに就ついてください。
The meeting is about to start, so please take your seat.

大だい学がくを卒そつ業ぎょうしてから、彼かれは銀ぎん行こうの仕し事ごとに就ついた。

After graduating from university, he took a job at a bank.

2

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

ascend the throne; accede to a high position

Formal use for taking a throne or similar supreme office, typically in expressions such as 王位に就く. The spelling 即く may appear in this sense but is uncommon.

若わかい王おう子じが王おう位いに就ついた。
The young prince ascended the throne.

3

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

set out; start on a journey; depart

Only when written 就く

A somewhat written or formal way to say that someone starts off on a journey or route, especially in set phrases like 旅に就く and 帰途に就く.

一いっ行こうは夜よ明あけに帰き途とに就ついた。
The party set out for home at dawn.

4

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

study under a teacher; be apprenticed to someone

Only when written 就く

Formal use with a teacher or master marked by に, as in 師に就く or 師に就いて学ぶ. In everyday language, 師事する or 先生に習う may be more common depending on context.

彼かの女じょは京きょう都とで名めい人じんに就ついて茶さ道どうを学まなんだ。
She studied the tea ceremony in Kyoto under a master.

Written forms

就つくUsage<1%
Main spelling for taking a seat, post, job, course of action, journey, or teacher. It distinguishes this verb from other つく verbs such as 付く and 着く.
つくUsage100%
即つく
Rare, formal spelling especially associated with acceding to a throne or high position; 就く is the safer general spelling.

Kanji

就concerning, settle, take position
即instant, namely, as is

Similar words

付つく
A much broader homophone meaning things like attach, stick, be added, or be turned on; 就く is used for taking up a seat, post, job, journey, or teacher.
就つける
The transitive counterpart meaning to put someone in a post or position, as in 役職に就ける; 就く is intransitive, meaning the person takes or enters that position.
就しゅう任にんする
More specific and formal for assuming an official post or office; 就く is broader and can also refer to jobs, seats, journeys, and studying under a teacher.
師し事じする
A formal verb meaning to study under or follow a teacher; it overlaps with 師に就く but is more explicit for the teacher-student relationship.

Etymology

つく is a native Japanese verb with many homophonous spellings. The kanji 就 is conventionally used for taking up or entering a post, role, course, or teacher relationship; 即 is a rarer spelling associated with accession. The exact historical development of these spellings is not specified.