〜ておく te oku

〜ておく（te oku）means “do in advance / leave (something) done”. Attach おく to the て-form of a verb to show that an action is done in advance as preparation, or that something is left in a certain state on purpose. Formation: V-て + おく

do in advance / leave (something) done

N4

Formation

V-て + おく

Explanation

Attach おく to the て-form of a verb to show that an action is done in advance as preparation, or that something is left in a certain state on purpose. In casual speech ておく often contracts to とく.

Examples

りょこうのまえに、ホテルをよやくしておきます。
りょこうのまえに、ホテルをよやくしておきます。
I'll book the hotel in advance before the trip.
あとでつかうので、まどはあけておいてください。
あとでつかうので、まどはあけておいてください。
I'll use it later, so please leave the window open.

Note

Casual contraction: ておく→とく, でおく→どく (e.g. 読んでおく→読んどく).

FAQ

〜ておく — what does it mean and how is it used?

do in advance / leave (something) done. Attach おく to the て-form of a verb to show that an action is done in advance as preparation, or that something is left in a certain state on purpose. In casual speech ておく often contracts to とく.

〜ておく — how do you form it?

V-て + おく

〜ておく — any usage notes?

Casual contraction: ておく→とく, でおく→どく (e.g. 読んでおく→読んどく).

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