Translation and Meaning of: 置く - oku

The Japanese word 置く (おく) is an essential verb for those learning the language, with a direct meaning and various everyday uses. If you've ever wondered how to say "to place" or "to leave something somewhere" in Japanese, this is the right word to memorize. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, writing in kanji, and practical examples that help understand its real use. Additionally, we will see how this word appears in everyday situations and tips to incorporate it into your vocabulary.

Meaning and usage of 置く in everyday Japanese

The verb 置く (おく) is primarily translated as "to place" or "to leave" something in a specific location. It is often used to indicate the action of positioning objects, such as in "本を机に置く" (to put the book on the desk). However, its use goes beyond the physical sense, as it can also appear in more abstract expressions, such as in decisions or temporary situations.

An interesting characteristic of 置く is its versatility. Unlike other more restricted verbs, it adapts well to different contexts, from tidying up the house to talking about leaving something for later. This flexibility makes it a quite common word in everyday conversations, appearing in both informal speech and more formal situations.

The origin and writing of the kanji 置く

The kanji 置 is composed of the radical 罒 (net) and the component 直 (correct, direct). This combination suggests the idea of "putting something in its appropriate place," reinforcing the meaning of the verb. The etymology refers to ancient Chinese, where the character also carried the notion of positioning or arranging objects in an organized manner.

It is worth noting that 置く is one of the kanji learned at the basic level of Japanese, precisely because of its practical use. Its reading is consistently "おく" in the verbal form, which makes it easier for students to memorize. Although there are other kanji with similar pronunciation, such as 奥 (depth), the context of use usually prevents confusion.

Tips for memorizing and using 置く correctly

An effective way to memorize the verb 置く is to associate it with concrete actions from everyday life. For example, when putting a glass on the table, think "コップをテーブルに置く". Mentally repeating this association helps to retain not only the meaning but also the basic grammatical structure. Another tip is to observe its usage in animes or dramas, where it frequently appears in everyday scenes.

Moreover, a useful curiosity is that 置く often appears combined with other verbs to form compound expressions, such as 置いておく (to leave something as it is). These constructions are common and are worth studying as knowledge of the language progresses. Suki Nihongo, one of the best online Japanese dictionaries, provides clear examples of these usages for reference.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 置く (oku) - put, to place
• おいて (oite) - placing (gerund form of 置く)
• おいておく (oite oku) - leave something in a place, keep it placed
• おいで (oide) - come, arrive, used as an honorific expression
• おいでになる (oide ni naru) - to come (honorific)
• おいでになります (oide ni narimasu) - come (polite/honorific form of おいでになる)
• おいでになること (oide ni naru koto) - the act of coming (honorific)
• おいでになると (oide ni naru to) - when you come (honorific)
• おいでになるとき (oide ni naru toki) - when you come (honorific)
• おいでになると言う (oide ni naru to iu) - to say that you will come (honorific)
• おいでになって (oide ni natte) - coming (honorific, in gerund form)
• おいでになって置く (oide ni natte oku) - come and put (honorific)
• おいでになり (oide ni nari) - come (honorific, continuous form)
• おいでになると言われる (oide ni naru to iwareru) - it is said that you will come (honorific)
• おいでになると言われました (oide ni naru to iwaremashita) - it was said that you would come (honorific, past)
• おいでになると言われること (oide ni naru to iwareru koto) - what is said that you will come (honorific)

置く

Romaji: oku
Kana: おく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: to place; position; insert; introduce; accommodate; to arrange; deposit; to fit in; install; per.

Meaning in English: to put;to place

Definition: To place or organize something in a certain place.

Example Sentences - (置く) oku

See below some example sentences:

棚に本を置いてください。

Tana ni hon o oite kudasai

Please put the books on the shelf.

Put the book on the shelf.

• 棚 (tana) - shelf
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 本 (hon) - book
• を (wo) - particle indicating direct object
• 置いて (oite) - verb "to put"
• ください (kudasai) - expression of request or solicitation

この位置に置いてください。

Kono ichi ni oite kudasai

Please put it in this position.

Please put it in this position.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 位置 - noun meaning "position" or "location"
• に - particle indicating the action of placing something in a specific place
• 置いてください - verb "okiru" in the imperative form, meaning "to place" or "please place"

前置きが長すぎると話が進まない。

Maeoki ga nagasugiru to hanashi ga susumanai

If the intro is too long

If the intro is too long, the story will not proceed.

• 前置き (maezuki) - introduction, preamble
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 長すぎる (nagasugiru) - to be too long
• と (to) - Quote particle
• 話 (hanashi) - conversation, story
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 進まない (susumanai) - not progress, not advance

床の間には花瓶が置かれています。

Tokonoma ni wa kabin ga okarete imasu

A vase is placed between the floors.

• 床の間 - traditional Japanese alcove, usually located in a tatami room and used to display art or decorative objects
• には - Japanese particle indicating the location of something
• 花瓶 - vase of flowers
• が - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 置かれています - Japanese verb meaning "placed" or "positioned"

机の上に本が置いてあります。

Moto no ue ni hon ga oite arimasu

There is a book on the table.

There is a book on the table.

• 机 (máquina) - noun that means table or desk
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 上 (ue) - noun that means on top, at the top
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 本 (hon) - noun that means book
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 置いて (oite) - verb that means to place or put
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means to exist or to be present

私は本を机に置きました。

Watashi wa hon o tsukue ni okimashita

I put the book on the table.

I put the book on my table.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 本 (hon) - means "book" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• 机 (tsukue) - means "table" in Japanese
• に (ni) - location particle in Japanese, used to indicate the place where something happened
• 置きました (okimashita) - Past form of the verb "okiru", meaning "to put" in Japanese.