付ける

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 付ける is an ichidan transitive verb read つける, meaning to attach something or add a mark. Its past form is 付けた, and its connective form is 付けて.
• Basic usage: It can describe attaching a label to a box or marking an important place in red.
  • 箱に送り先を書いた札を付けた。 says that a shipping label was attached to the box; 重要な箇所に赤い印を付けてください。 asks the reader to put a red mark on the important parts.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 箱に札を付ける
  • に marks the box as what received the label, and を marks the label as what was attached.
• 印を付けてください
  • てください expresses a request to mark the important places.
• 付ける and 着ける
  • 付ける broadly attaches an object or adds a mark, while 着ける focuses on wearing an accessory or protective item on the body.