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How to Say ‘Turns on / lights (polite)’ in Japanese

つきます

tsuki masu

[tsoo-kee mahss]

💬 Usage Tip: Polite present: [つきます] from [つく]. Past is [つきました].

🇯🇵 In Japan: Using polite form is appropriate for landlords/management companies. It sounds respectful and clear.

Phrase Breakdown

つき

tsuki

[tsoo-kee]

light/turn on (stem)

つき is from つく (to light/turn on). Used for lights, indicators, and flames: 火がつく.

Example

火がつきますが、すぐ消えます。

The flame lights, but it goes out quickly.

ます

masu

[mahss]

polite present/future ending

ます is the polite ending. つきます = “it turns on/lights” (polite). Good for speaking to landlord/management.

Example

ランプがつきます。

The lamp/indicator lights up.

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