おく (oku)

Meaning & usage

〜ておく means to do something in advance for future use or to leave something in a finished state. It is used for preparation, such as buying tickets early, or for leaving a door closed or a light on. It attaches to a verb in て, で, or ないで form, as in 買っておく, 飲んでおく, and 食べないでおく, and おく itself conjugates as an ordinary u verb. In casual speech ておく often contracts to とく, as in 買っとく.

Example sentences 5

1. その魚さかなは生いかしておこう。

   I will keep the fish alive.

2. このサイトをブックマークしておいて。

   Bookmark this site.

3. 夜は門をしめておかなければなりません。

   You must keep the gate closed for the night.

4. 前もって言ってくれれば、その日、空けておいたのに。

   I would have set aside the day for it if you'd told me ahead of time.

5. もっと早くやっておけばよかった。

   I should've done that sooner.