着る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 着る is an ichidan transitive verb read きる, meaning to wear clothing placed over the upper body or body as a whole. Its connective form is 着て.
• Basic usage: It can describe deciding to put on an item or attending an event while wearing particular clothes.
  • 寒いので厚い上着を着ることにしました。 says that the speaker decided to wear a thick coat because it was cold; 姉は青い服を着て発表会に出ました。 says that the older sister wore blue clothes to the recital.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 着ることにした
  • This pattern expresses the speaker's decision to wear the thick coat.
• 着て出る
  • The て-form links wearing the blue clothes with going to the recital.
• 着る and 履く
  • 着る is used for tops and outer garments, while 履く is used for lower-body garments and footwear.