Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 4: 12/18

~ておくTo do something in advance

Structure

Verb[て]+ おく
Verb[] +とく

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • Rare Kanji

    置く

About ておく

When the conjunction particle is followed by the う-Verb ()く in Japanese, it regularly has the meaning of 'to do (A) in advance'. ()く as a verb itself means 'to place something' (down), but also has the nuance 'to leave something alone', or to 'drop something' (like a topic). In this way, ておく can be thought of as meaning 'to do (A) and leave it (until later)'.

When using ておく, the 'future event' that the (A) action is being done for may be something that is coming soon, or may be something that the speaker doesn't want to ever come. Due to this, ておく is also regularly used when the speaker is doing something specifically to prevent another thing from happening.

Caution

ておく is sometimes contracted to とく (or どく in verbs where would usually be said as ). Although this is not excessively common in conversation, it is very common in drama, manga, and similar media.

Examples

--:--

    ここにリモコン()いておく

    I will put the remote here (in advance for future use).

    ちょっと調(しら)べておきます

    I will do a little research in advance.

    (かえ)てくるのが(おそ)くなから、ご(はん)(つく)っておいた

    I won't get home until late, so I made food in advance.

    明日(あした)パーティーためにジュース()っておきました

    I bought juice (in advance) for the party tomorrow.

    今夜(こんや)明日(あした)弁当(べんとう)(つく)っておいてくれますか?

    Will you make tomorrow's bento (in advance) for me tonight?

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

ておく – Grammar Discussion