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JPPGG Lesson 101: Verb (Base TE) Oku - To verb for later
By Brett McCluskey

When translating from Japanese to English, whether text or spoken conversation, there are times when it is quite impossible to extract an exact equivalent or expression having the same meaning in both languages. Today's lesson will focus on one such grammar principle. This particular bunpo will take a little more time for westerners to absorb than some of the easier Japanese grammar.

Today's bunpo uses the verb oku. Knowing the meaning of this verb and how it is used by itself will help in understanding the meanings of the sentences and phrases we can make with today's grammar construction, however as I have said before this particular grammar has nuances and meaning which cannot be expressed with an exact equivalent. As Always, Do Your Best. Ganbatte Ne!

Verb (base TE) Oku - To verb for later

Oku means to put, place; lay down, leave (it as it is), or the biggie in relation to how we will use it in today's bunpo is to pawn. Oku, the verb, in and of itself, is easy to understand. For example, to say,

"I will place the cup on the table" you could say,

"Te^buru no ue ni kappu o oku", or

"Te^buru no ue ni kappu o okimasu." Polite version

Here is another example of oku.

"Please put it over there." or, "Asoko ni oite* kudasai".

*If you need a refresher of how to put verbs into base TE, please see the RSS feed below or click here