Attach おく to a verb’s て-form: 買っておく means buy in advance for a purpose. Compare the examples, then use the table to make your own sentence.
The idea
Attach おく to a verb’s て-form: 買っておく means buy in advance for a purpose. 開けておく can mean leave something open. In casual speech ておく and でおく can contract to とく and どく.
| Starting form | Form or example |
|---|---|
| 買う | 買っておく |
| 書く | 書いておく |
| する | しておく |
| 開ける | 開けておく |
Examples
- 明日のために、水を買っておきます。I will buy water in advance for tomorrow.
- 旅行の前に、ホテルを予約しておきます。I will book a hotel before the trip.
- 友達が来る前に、部屋を掃除しておきます。I will clean the room before my friend comes.
- 名前をここに書いておきます。I will write my name here for later.
- 後で読むために、この本を借りておきます。I will borrow this book to read later.
- 暑いので、窓を開けておきます。It is hot, so I will leave the window open.
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Watch out
ておく is not always the literal verb 置く meaning “put”; in this pattern it can express preparation or maintaining a state.
Try it yourself
Complete the sentence using ておく; choose the appropriate form. 明日のために、水を＿。（買っておきます／買ってみます） I will buy water in advance for tomorrow.
Show answer or example answer
買っておきます
「買っておきます」 — I will buy water in advance for tomorrow. Attach おく to a verb’s て-form: 買っておく means buy in advance for a purpose. 開けておく can mean leave something open. In casual speech ておく and でおく can contract to とく and どく.
Complete the sentence using ておく; choose the appropriate form. 旅行の前に、ホテルを予約＿。（してみます／しておきます） I will book a hotel before the trip.
Show answer or example answer
しておきます
「しておきます」 — I will book a hotel before the trip. Attach おく to a verb’s て-form: 買っておく means buy in advance for a purpose. 開けておく can mean leave something open. In casual speech ておく and でおく can contract to とく and どく.
Complete the sentence using ておく; choose the appropriate form. 名前をここに＿。（書いておきます／書いてみます） I will write my name here for later.
Show answer or example answer
書いておきます
「書いておきます」 — I will write my name here for later. Attach おく to a verb’s て-form: 買っておく means buy in advance for a purpose. 開けておく can mean leave something open. In casual speech ておく and でおく can contract to とく and どく.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Complete the sentence using ておく; choose the appropriate form. 明日のために、水を＿。（買っておきます／買ってみます） I will buy water in advance for tomorrow.
Complete the sentence using ておく; choose the appropriate form. 旅行の前に、ホテルを予約＿。（してみます／しておきます） I will book a hotel before the trip.
Complete the sentence using ておく; choose the appropriate form. 名前をここに＿。（書いておきます／書いてみます） I will write my name here for later.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two new sentences using ておく; explain your choices and check them against the table.