Structure
Verb + こと(1) + に気がつく
Noun + に気がつく
(1) の
Details
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Standard
About にきがつく
に気が付く is a common expression that highlights when someone 'notices that (A)', or 'realizes that (A)'. 付く 'to be attached' is the intransitive form of 付ける 'to attach', meaning that it is something that happens by itself. The case marking particle に marks the 'location' to where your 気 (sometimes interpreted as 'attention') becomes attached.
This structure may be used after nouns, or verbs that have been nominalized with either の, or こと.
Fun Fact
There are many different translations for 気 in English. These can range from 'spirit', to 'attention', to 'will', or even 'consciousness'. However, perhaps one of the most accurate ways to translate 気, is 'presence of mind'. The 'location' to which your focus, attention, or perception is drawn, will always highlight your 気.
Examples
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何がないか気がついたのだろうか。
I wonder if he has noticed what is missing.
今、お金を忘れたことに気がついたばかりだ。
I just now noticed that I forgot my money.
自分のミスに気がつきましたか。
Did you notice your mistake?
わぁ!気がついたの?嬉しい!
Woah! You noticed? I'm so happy!
今日は母の誕生日だ! 気がついていなかった。
Today is Mom's birthday! I didn't notice.
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Online
(CLAUSEこと/NOUN)に気がつく
「Learn Japanese」
Master your 気
Tae Kim
Offline
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 93
Tobira
Page 142
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