～ておく
To do something in advance
Structure
Verb［
Explanation
The grammar pattern ておく is formed by attaching the auxiliary verb 置く to the て-form of another verb. It primarily expresses the idea of 'doing something in preparation' for a future event. While 置く literally means 'to put' or 'to place', when used in this pattern it carries the nuance of 'to complete an action and leave the result as is'. This can be understood as 'to do something beforehand'.
- 旅行の前に服を買っておく。I'll buy some clothes ahead of time before my trip. (So that I have them ready when it's time to go)
- お客さんのために椅子を準備しておきます。I will get the chairs ready for the guests in advance. (So that they will be prepared when the guests arrive)
- 明日の会議の資料をコピーしておくね。I'll make copies of the materials for tomorrow's meeting beforehand. (So that we are all set for the meeting)
The action done with ておく is a preparation for a future situation. This situation could be something certain to happen soon, or it could be a potential problem the speaker wants to avoid. Consequently, ておく is frequently used to describe actions taken to prevent an undesirable outcome.
- 窓を閉めておくと、雨が入ってこない。If you close the window (ahead of time), the rain won't get in. (Closing it now prevents the future problem of rain getting inside)
Caution
In casual speech, ておく is often shortened to とく. When the verb's て-form ends in で, the contraction becomes どく. While you might not hear this form constantly in everyday chats, it appears frequently in entertainment like anime, manga, and TV shows.
- そのお菓子、テーブルの上に置いとくね。I'll just leave those snacks on the table for later. (So that people can eat them whenever they want)
- この本、面白いから読んどくね。This book looks interesting, so I'll go ahead and read it now. (So that I have it finished for later)
Examples
友達が来るから、部屋を掃除しておいた。
My friends are coming over, so I cleaned my room in advance.
旅行の前に荷物をまとめておきます。
I will pack my bags (in advance) before the trip.
映画のチケットを買っておきました。
I bought the movie tickets (in advance).
明日の会議の資料をコピーしておいてくれますか？
Will you copy the materials for tomorrow's meeting (in advance) for me?
出かける前に、スマホを充電しておく。
Before I leave, I'll charge my phone (in advance).
後で困らないように、ちゃんと話を聞いておこう。
Let's listen carefully now (in preparation) so we don't have trouble later.
来月までに飛行機のチケットを予約しておかなくてはいけません。
By next month, I have to book the plane tickets in advance.
母が作っておいてくれたお弁当を食べます。
I'm going to eat the bento that my mom made for me in advance.
私が帰るまでに、お風呂を沸かしておいて。
By the time I get home, please have the bath heated (in advance).
映画を見に行く前に、原作の本を読んでおいた方がいいよ。
Before you go see the movie, you'd better read the original book in advance.
早めにホテルを予約しておいたから、安心だ。
I booked the hotel early (in advance), so I'm not worried.
エアコンをつけておこうか？
Shall I turn on the air conditioner (in advance)?
お客さんが来る前に、ビールを冷やしておきます。
Before the guests arrive, I'll chill the beer (in advance).