整理

• Reading: せいり
• Romaji: seiri
• Kanji breakdown: 整 (sei) — arrange, put in order; 理 (ri) — reason, logic
• Pronunciation: /seː.ɾi/

Meaning

Sorting; arrangement; organization; putting in order. The act of organizing things systematically.

A transitive suru-verb (整理する = to organize/arrange). While 片付ける is about tidying up physically, 整理 emphasizes systematic organization — sorting papers, categorizing items, or organizing one's thoughts (考えを整理する). Common compound: 整理整頓 (neat and tidy).

Examples

1. 机の上の書類を整理しなければならない。 I need to organize the papers on my desk.
2. 写真を年ごとに整理しました。 I sorted my photos by year.
3. 頭の中を整理してからもう一度考えよう。 Let me sort out my thoughts and then think it over again.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, home, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 整 (to arrange, to put in order) and 理 (reason, logic). Together: to arrange things according to logic or reason.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal