Japanese word

片付ける

Pronunciation

Romajikatazukeru

Meaning

  • verbclean up

Example

部屋を片付けます。heya o kata zu ke ma su

I will clean up my room.

Illustration for 片付ける (clean up)

More examples

遊んだ後で、おもちゃを片付けます。aso n da ato de o mo cha o kata zu ke ma su

I clean up my toys after playing.

食事の後で、テーブルを片付けます。shoku ji no ato de tē bu ru o kata zu ke ma su

I clean up the table after the meal.

Core concept

Brings a messy place or a group of things into an orderly, settled state.

Common phrases

  • 部屋を片付けるheya o kata zu ke ru

    clean up a room

  • おもちゃを片付けるo mo cha o kata zu ke ru

    put away toys

  • 机の上を片付けるtsukue no ue o kata zu ke ru

    clear off a desk

Similar words

整理するseirisuru: To arrange things in order by sorting or grouping them.
しまうshimau: To put an item in its proper place after use.
掃除するsōjisuru: To remove dirt, dust, or waste from a place or object.

Definition in Japanese

物や場所を整え、不要な物を除いたり所定の場所に戻したりする。mono ya ba sho o totono e fu yō na mono o nozo i ta ri sho tei no ba sho ni modo shi ta ri su ru

Word origin

片付ける (katazukeru) is the transitive form related to 片付く (katazuku), built from 片 (kata, "one side") and 付く (tsuku, "be attached or settled").

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 片付ける (katazukeru) applies to rooms, desks, dishes, and other things, so its range is broader than tidying a room.

Other meanings

  • put awayverb
  • clear awayverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word