Meaning & Usage
The grammar point て置く (te oku) is all about thinking ahead. While the verb 置く literally means "to put" or "to place," in this context, it describes performing an action now to benefit your future self or someone else.
Think of it as "prepping" for later. You aren't just doing a task; you are intentionally setting things up for a specific goal. There are three main ways to use it:
- Preparation: Doing something for a scheduled event (e.g., buying tickets for a concert next week).
- Future Measures: Taking a temporary action because it might be needed later (e.g., writing down a phone number before you forget it).
- Maintaining a State: Leaving something in a certain condition on purpose (e.g., keeping the heater on so the room stays warm).
Mental Model: Treat て置く as "setting the stage." By performing the action and "placing" it on your timeline, you ensure things go smoothly later. In daily life, you will almost always hear this shortened. ~ておく becomes ~とく (toku), and ~でおく becomes ~どく (doku). Getting used to these contractions is a huge step toward sounding like a native speaker.
Structure & Formation
To use this grammar, change your main verb into the て-form and add 置く. Since 置く is a standard Group 1 (u-verb), you can conjugate it further into polite, negative, or even command forms.
| Verb Group | Base Verb | Te-form + 置く | Casual Contraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (u) | 買う (To buy) | 買っておく | 買っとく |
| Group 1 (u) | 飲む (To drink) | 飲んでおく | 飲んどく |
| Group 2 (ru) | 食べる (To eat) | 食べておく | 食べとく |
| Group 3 (Irregular) | する (To do) | しておく | しとく |
| Group 3 (Irregular) | 来る (To come) | 来ておく | 来とく |
Notice the pattern in the contractions. If the て-form ends in a voiced sound like で (de), the contraction becomes どく (doku). For example, yonde oku becomes yondoku.
Example Sentences
1. Preparation for a Future Event
Use these when you have a specific deadline or event in mind.
明日、友達が来るので、部屋を掃除しておきます。
ashita, tomodachi ga kuru node, heya wo souji shite okimasu.
Since my friend is coming tomorrow, I will clean the room in advance.
旅行に行く前に、チケットを買っておかなければなりません。
ryokou ni iku mae ni, chiketto wo katte okanakereba narimasen.
I have to buy the tickets before I go on the trip.
晩御飯を作っておいたから、あとで食べてね。
bangohan wo tsukutte oita kara, ato de tabete ne.
I've made dinner already, so please eat it later.
2. Measures for Potential Needs
These actions are helpful because they prevent trouble later on.
忘れないように、メモしておきます。
wasurenai you ni, memo shite okimasu.
I will write a note (now) so that I don't forget later.
喉が渇くから、飲み物をたくさん買っておきましょう。
nodo ga kawaku kara, nomimono wo takusan katte okimashou.
We'll get thirsty, so let's buy plenty of drinks in advance.
会議の資料を確認しておいてください。
kaigi no shiryou wo kakunin shite oite kudasai.
Please check over the meeting materials (before the meeting starts).
3. Maintaining a Resulting State
Use these when you want to keep something exactly as it is for a reason.
暑いので、エアコンをつけっぱなしにしておいてください。
atsui node, eakon wo tsukeppanashi ni shite oite kudasai.
It's hot, so please leave the air conditioner on.
後でまた使うから、そこに置いておいて。
ato de mata tsukau kara, soko ni oite oite.
I'll use it again later, so just leave it there.
4. Daily Conversational Use (とく / どく)
In real life, people rarely say the full "te okimasu" to friends or family.
来週のテスト、勉強しといた？
raishuu no tesuto, benkyou shitoita?
Did you do some study (in advance) for next week's test?
雨が降りそうだから、傘持っとくわ。
ame ga furisou da kara, kasa mottoku wa.
It looks like rain, so I'll bring an umbrella (just in case).
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using with non-volitional verbs
❌ 雨が降っておきます。
✅ 傘を持っておきます。
You can only use ~ておく for things you choose to do. Since humans can't control the rain, you can't "rain in advance." You can, however, prepare for the rain by bringing an umbrella.
Mistake 2: Confusing ~ておく with ~てある
❌ 窓が開けておきます。
✅ 窓を開けておきます。 (I will leave it open.)
✅ 窓が開けてあります。 (The window is already open.)
~ておく focuses on the action of preparing. ~てある focuses on the current state resulting from a past action. Also, remember that ~ておく usually takes the particle を because it is an active choice.
Mistake 3: The "Oite Oite" Tongue Twister
❌ 机に置いてください。
✅ 机に置いといてください。
When the main verb is 置く (to put), saying "oite oite" sounds repetitive. While grammatically correct, most Japanese people will use the contraction おいといて (oitoite) to make it easier to say.
Cultural Notes
The frequent use of ~ておく reveals a lot about Japanese social values. There is a high level of respect for 気遣い (kizukai), or being proactive about others' needs. By doing something in advance, you show that you are thinking about the next person who will use a space or a tool.
In the workplace, this is essential. If you finish a task and organize the files in advance so your coworker can find them easily, you are practicing ~ておく. It’s not just about finishing the job; it’s about making the next person's job easier.
Related Grammar Points
- Resultant State (Intentional) - Te-aru (Grammar N4)
- Hearsay (I heard that): Souda (Grammar N4)
- Sequence and Starting Points: Using てから (te kara) (Grammar N4)
- Mastering the Japanese Passive Voice (Ukemi-kei) (Grammar N4)
- Using かもしれない (kamoshirenai) to Express Possibility (Grammar N4)
- The Grammar of Appearance: Using ～そうだ (Grammar N4)
JLPT Tips
For the N4 exam, focus heavily on the listening section. You will often hear ~とく or ~といた. If a speaker says 買っといたよ (kattoita yo), your brain needs to immediately translate that to "I bought it in advance."
In the grammar section, look for keywords like ~までに (by/before) or ~の前に (before...). These are huge clues that ~ておく is the expected answer. Always check if the action is intentional; if the verb is something natural like "to bloom" or "to fall," ~ておく is likely a trap.