片付く

• Reading: かたづく
• Romaji: katadzuku
• Kanji breakdown: 片 (kata) — one side, fragment; 付 (tsuku/fu) — attach, settle
• Pronunciation: /ka.ta.dzɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

To be put in order; to be settled. Things becoming tidy or a problem being resolved.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb ending in く. Describes the state of things being tidied up or problems being resolved on their own or as a result. Used for both physical tidying (部屋が片付く, the room gets tidy) and abstract resolution (問題が片付く, the problem is settled). Paired with the transitive form 片付ける (to tidy up).

Examples

1. 引っ越しの荷物がやっと片付いた。 The moving boxes are finally all sorted out.
2. この問題が片付いたら休もう。 Once this problem is taken care of, let's take a break.
3. 仕事が片付くまで帰れない。 I can't go home until my work is finished.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, housework, work

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 片 (kata, one side) and 付く (tsuku, to attach/settle). Originally suggesting putting things to one side in an orderly manner — bringing disorder into a settled state.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal