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The trip hasn’t started yet, so why book the hotel today? Look at the order: preparation first, then the trip.

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Lesson notes · ≈ 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.

How it works

  1. The trip hasn’t started yet, so why book the hotel today? Look at the order: preparation first, then the trip.

    The trip hasn’t started yet, so why book the hotel today? Look at the order: preparation first, then the trip.

  2. 「ておきます」 means doing something in advance for a later purpose. Booking a hotel is preparation for the trip.

    「ておきます」 means doing something in advance for a later purpose. Booking a hotel is preparation for the trip.

  3. 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.

    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.

  4. 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.

    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.

  5. Plain 「予約します」 simply says you’ll make a reservation. Adding 「ておきます」 emphasizes preparing ahead for later.

    Plain 「予約します」 simply says you’ll make a reservation. Adding 「ておきます」 emphasizes preparing ahead for later.

  6. 「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.

「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パスポートぱすぽーとpasupootoをo入れいれireてteおきます。おきますokimasu

    I'll put my passport in my bag beforehand.

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しておきます。おきます

    B: Not yet. I'll make a hotel reservation today.

  • A
    そうですか。か私わたしもパスポートぱすぽーとを準備じゅんびしておきます。おきます

    A: I see. I'll get my passport ready too.

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    I'll buy a suitcase in advance.

  4. 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

  • 〜ましょうかsuggestion or offer
  • 〜し、〜adding reasons or features
  • 〜のは、〜ですhighlighting or evaluating
  • 〜そうですprediction from signs
  • 〜ておきますprepare in advance
  • 〜てありますpreparation already complete
Previous〜そうですNext〜てあります

Keep practising

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