ておく・とく

to do something in advance, prepare, leave (something) as is

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ておく is a practical and versatile Japanese expression used to describe actions taken in advance, for preparation, or to leave something in a specific state. Formed by attaching おく to the て-form of a verb, it emphasizes proactive action or forward-thinking preparation, making it an essential tool for planning, convenience, and readiness.

The casual variation とく simplifies ておく for informal speech, adding a relaxed tone to everyday conversations. Whether describing preparation for future events, maintaining temporary states, or anticipating needs, ておく is a valuable structure for clear and thoughtful communication.

Structure

Verb［て］ + おく⁽¹⁾

Verb［て］ + おいて

Verb［て］ + とく⁽²⁾

Verb［て］ + といて

⁽¹⁾ おきます (polite)

⁽²⁾ ときます (ploite)

Level

Key uses

1. Preparing in advance

The primary use of ておく is to indicate that an action is performed in advance to prepare for a future event or need. This highlights the speaker’s proactive approach to ensure readiness and avoid last-minute issues.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage reflects thoughtfulness and organization, making it essential for planning ahead in both personal and professional contexts.

2. Leaving something in a specific state

ておく is also used to describe intentionally leaving something in a certain state for convenience or future use.

[ Additional Insight ]

This use emphasizes intentionality, often suggesting that the current state is the most practical or beneficial for the time being.

3. Using とく in casual speech

In informal conversations, ておく is commonly shortened to とく to make speech more natural and relaxed. This form is widely used among friends or family in casual settings.

[ Additional Insight ]

The とく form is ideal for casual, everyday interactions, adding a conversational tone that feels natural in informal settings.

4. Reminding or instructing to leave something as Is

ておく can also be used to remind or instruct someone to keep things in a certain condition. This use is especially helpful when asking someone to refrain from making changes to something.

[ Additional Insight ]

This use emphasizes careful preparation and maintaining conditions that ensure the item’s usability or readiness for future use.

5. Temporarily leaving something unfinished

ておく can also imply leaving something temporarily unfinished or pending, often with the intention of returning to it later.

[ Additional Insight ]

This use reflects flexibility and practicality, allowing for tasks or activities to be paused without losing track of their status.

Comparisons

1. ままにする

ておく emphasizes proactive preparation or taking action in advance for future use, while ままにする describes leaving something in its current state without implying preparation. Use ままにする for situations where the state remains unchanged, and ておく for actions taken intentionally for future benefit.

2. てある

ておく focuses on preparing for future use, while てある describes something that has already been done and is left in its current state. Use てある to emphasize the result of a completed action and ておく for intentional preparation.