do ~ in advance, do ~ for later

Intermediate

10-15 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates doing something in preparation for a future situation.

[Verb て-form] + おく

パーティーの前に部屋を掃除しておきます。

Paatii no mae ni heya wo souji shite okimasu.

I'll clean the room before the party (in preparation).

チケットを買っておいた。

Chiketto wo katte oita.

I bought the tickets in advance.

Casual form is ～とく.

～てある

~ has been done, ~ is in a state of having been done

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

Study with our comprehensive grammar guides and practice materials.