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Japanese Versatility List

Tidying up

Core words, Stage 4chunk 5 of 79Verbs: home and routine

Lets you ask someone to tidy, put things away, sort things out or put them on display.

Mix-ups Katazukeru tidies a whole mess; shimau puts one thing in its place.

katazukeru

polite katazukemasu

tidy up; put away; clear (the table)

The everyday word for cleaning up a mess — a room, toys, dishes.

Also for finishing off work: shigoto o katazukeru. Shimau is putting one thing in its place.

casual

okyakusan kuru kara, heya katazukete.

Guests are coming, so tidy your room.

お客さん来るから、部屋片付けて。

polite

okyakusan ga kuru node, heya o katazukete kudasai.

Guests are coming, so please tidy your room.

お客さんが来るので、部屋を片付けてください。

Written 片付ける · かたづける · 片付けますRank #2543 in 3,030 TV dramas

shimau

polite shimaimasu

put away; put back

Putting something into its proper place — a drawer, a cupboard, a bag.

Also the ending -te shimau (-chau), 'end up doing': tabechatta = I ate it all.

casual

omocha, chanto shimatte ne.

Put your toys away properly, okay?

おもちゃ、ちゃんとしまってね。

polite

omocha o chanto shimatte kudasai.

Please put your toys away properly.

おもちゃをちゃんとしまってください。

Written しまう · しまいますRank #2285 in 3,030 TV dramas

seiri suru

polite seiri shimasu

sort out; organise

Putting papers, files, data or thoughts in order; for a messy room, katazukeru is more everyday.

Kimochi o seiri suru = sort out your feelings. Same sound as seiri, a period (menstruation).

casual

ato de shorui seiri suru yo.

I'll sort out the papers later.

後で書類整理するよ。

polite

ato de shorui o seiri shimasu.

I'll sort out the papers later.

後で書類を整理します。

Written 整理する · せいりする · 整理しますRank #1970 in 3,030 TV dramas

kazaru

polite kazarimasu

decorate; put on display, put up

For pictures, flowers or decorations set out to be seen.

Kazaranai hito = a down-to-earth, unpretentious person.

casual

kono shashin, heya ni kazarou ka.

Shall we put this photo up in the room?

この写真、部屋に飾ろうか。

polite

kono shashin o heya ni kazarimashou ka.

Shall we put this photo up in the room?

この写真を部屋に飾りましょうか。

Written 飾る · かざる · 飾りますRank #2534 in 3,030 TV dramas