Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 3

〜ておきます~te okimasu

prepare in advance

Use 〜ておきます to do something now as preparation for a later purpose.

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How it works

The trip hasn’t started yet, so why book the hotel today? Look at the order: preparation first, then the trip.
「ておきます」 means doing something in advance for a later purpose. Booking a hotel is preparation for the trip.
Attach it to the verb’s て-form: 予約します→予約しておきます. First make the て-form, then add おきます.
バッグにパスポートを入れておきます。I’ll put my passport in my bag ahead of time, before leaving.
Plain 「予約します」 simply says you’ll make a reservation. Adding 「ておきます」 emphasizes preparing ahead for later.
「今日、予約しておきます」 describes preparation you’ll do today. It doesn’t mean the reservation has already been made.

Example sentences

ホテルほてるhoteruをo予約よやくyoyakuしshiてteおきます。おきますokimasu
I'll reserve a hotel in advance.
バッグばっぐbagguにni

In a conversation

A
旅行りょこうの準備じゅんびはわ終わりましたおわりましたか。か
A: Are your travel preparations done?
B
いいえ、いいえまだです。今日、ですきょうホテルほてるを予約よやく

Check yourself

Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
I'll buy a suitcase in advance.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
ホテルを予約。
I will book a hotel in advance.

More grammar in this theme

〜ておきますprepare in advance

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