【JLPT N4 Grammar】〜ておく(~teoku)

Explanation:〜ておく

Meaning
"do something in advance"

Used to indicate that an action is done in preparation for something or to leave something in a particular state for future convenience. It’s commonly used when tasks are completed proactively or as a preventative measure.

Form
V(te form) + おく

Points

  1. Preparation for Future Use: "〜ておく" highlights that an action is done now with the future in mind.
  2. Proactive or Preventative Action: Often used to express actions taken in advance to prevent issues later on.
  3. Temporary State: Sometimes it suggests leaving something in a certain way temporarily or as a preparation.

JLPT Level
N4



Sample sentenes

来週らいしゅう、タイに 旅行りょこうに くので、ホテルを 予約よやくておきます
I will book a hotel in advance because I will travel to Thailand next week.

友達ともだちの 結婚式けっこんしきに 参加さんかするから、あたらしい ネクタイを ておきます
I will buy a new necktie in advance because I will attend a friends wedding party.

バスに まえに、くすりを でおきます
I will drink medicine  before I ride a bus.

友達ともだちが いえに まえに、部屋へやを 掃除そうじておきます
I will clean my room before my friend comes to my house.

もうすぐ テストが あるから、ならったことを 復習ふくしゅうておきます
I will review what I learned because there is an exam soon.

あとで 彼女かのじょと デートだから、シャワーを ておきます
Since I have an date with my girlfriend, I will take a bath in advance.

テストを はじめるまえに、問題用紙もんだいようしの 注意事項ちゅういじこうを 読んでおいてください
Please read the note on the question sheet in advance before you start the test.

来週らいしゅう台風たいふうが るから ものと みずを ておきます
Since the typhoon will come, I will buy water in advance.

来週らいしゅう いえで パーティーをするので、 たくさん お菓子かしを ておきます
Since I will hold a party at my home, I will buy many snacks in advance.

来週らいしゅう 彼女かのじょの 誕生日たんじょうびですから プレゼントを 用意よういておきます
I will buy a present in advance, because next week is my girlfriends birthday.

Vocabulary

Japanese English
よやくする to book
けっこんしき wedding ceremony
さんかする to join / to attend
ネクタイ tie
そうじする to clean
ならう to learn
ふくしゅうする to review
シャワーをあびる to take a shower
もんだいようし question sheet
ちゅういじこう caution / note
おかし snack
よういする to prepare

Comparison:"〜ておく" vs. "〜てある"

While "〜てある" indicates a state resulting from an action already done, "〜ておく" emphasizes doing an action in preparation for something.

Example

にもつを まとめてある。 (The luggage is packed.) — The luggage is already packed, focusing on the current state.

にもつを まとめておく。 (I’ll pack the luggage in advance.) — This implies intentional preparation for later.

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