Japanese word

たたむ

Pronunciation

Romajitatamu

Meaning

  • verbfold

Example

洗濯物をたたみます。sen taku butsu o ta ta mi ma su

I fold the laundry.

Illustration for たたむ (fold)

More examples

服をたたみます。fuku o ta ta mi ma su

I fold my clothes.

新聞を読み終わったら、きれいにたたみます。shin bun o yo mi o wa tta ra ki re i ni ta ta mi ma su

When I finish reading the newspaper, I fold it neatly.

Core concept

Describes bringing a spread-out item into a smaller, orderly shape by bending parts over one another.

Common phrases

  • 洗濯物をたたむsen taku butsu o ta ta mu

    fold laundry

  • 傘をたたむkasa o ta ta mu

    fold up an umbrella

  • 布団をたたむfu ton o ta ta mu

    fold up bedding

Similar words

折り畳むoritatamu: To fold an item into a compact shape, often by making several folds.
折るoru: To bend something so that one part lies against another.
折り返すorikaesu: To bend part of an item back over itself.

Definition in Japanese

洗濯物などを、折り重ねて小さく整える。sen taku butsu na do o o ri kasa ne te chii sa ku totono e ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb たたむ (tatamu) has been used since Old Japanese with the basic meaning of folding or layering, and its deeper origin is not securely known.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, たたむ (tatamu) applies not only to laundry but also to umbrellas and bedding, linking the word to putting larger items into a compact form.

Opposites

Related words

  • たたみ方tatamikataway of foldingnoun

Word lists with this word