置く

• Reading: おく
• Romaji: oku
• Kanji breakdown: 置 (chi/o) — to put, to place
• Pronunciation: /o.kɯ/

Meaning

To put; to place; to set down. A basic verb for placing objects in a location.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with a く stem. Used for placing objects on surfaces or in locations. Also functions as an auxiliary verb in the form ～ておく (to do something in advance or for later). に marks the location where something is placed.

Examples

1. 本を机の上に置いてください。 Please put the book on the desk.
2. 鍵をどこに置きましたか。 Where did you put the keys?
3. 冷蔵庫にジュースを置いておきます。 I'll keep some juice in the fridge.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, home, organisation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 置 combines 罒 (net) and 直 (straight/direct), originally suggesting setting something down properly and carefully in its place.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal