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片付ける
katazukeru
tidy up
部屋を片付けてください。
Please tidy up the room.
informal
to tidy up; to put in order; to clean up
机の上を片付けなさい。
Tidy up the desk.
荷物を片付ける時間がありません。
I don’t have time to tidy up my luggage.
Used for organizing physical spaces or resolving messy situations. Can imply completing a task by putting things away.
informal
to settle (a problem); to resolve; to finish
仕事を片付けてから帰ります。
I’ll go home after finishing my work.
Often used for completing tasks or dealing with issues efficiently.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: Using に instead of を
Always use を (wo) with 片付ける to indicate what is being tidied. Incorrect: 部屋に片付けてください (×). Correct: 部屋を片付けてください (✓).
Gold Rule
Physical vs. Abstract
片付ける primarily refers to physical tidying (e.g., rooms, desks) but can also mean resolving abstract issues (e.g., work, problems).
Word Origin
From 片 (kata, 'one side; part') + 付ける (tsukeru, 'to attach'). Originally meant 'to put aside' or 'to separate and put in order,' evolving into the modern sense of tidying up.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in daily life for organizing spaces or completing tasks. The verb is transitive and often paired with を (wo) to indicate the object being tidied.
Word Breakdown
片
one side; part; fragment
root付ける
to attach; to add; to put
root和英辞典