Japanese grammar
What does ～とく／～どく mean? Japanese grammar N3
～とく／～どく means do in advance… (casual contraction of ておく).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vて + おく → Vとく Vで + おく → Vどく |
| Romaji | toku／doku |
| Meaning | do in advance… (casual contraction of ておく) |
Forming it
| de-form | 読んでおく → 読んどく |
|---|---|
| te-form | 作っておく → 作っとく |
How to use it
The colloquial contraction of 「～ておく」: preparing something in advance for later. Only used in casual speech.
- Rule: 「～ておく」 → 「～とく」, 「～でおく」 → 「～どく」. 「買っておく → 買っとく」, 「飲んでおく → 飲んどく」.
- Keeps the same meaning as 「ておく」: preparing in advance (「予約しとく」), leaving the current state as is (「窓を開けとく」).
- Only used in casual conversation; for reports or speaking to a superior, use the full form 「～ておきます」.
Examples
夜は遅くなるから、晩ご飯を作っとくね。
I'll be late tonight, so I'll make dinner in advance.
会議の資料、先に読んどくよ。
I'll read the meeting materials beforehand.
Keep in mind
- Only verbs in the で-form become 「どく」.
- Not used in written language.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong資料を読んとく。
I read the documents in advance.
Correct資料を読んどく。
Verbs with a de-form (読んで) contract to 「どく」.
-
Wrong（上司に）資料を準備しときます。
I will prepare the documents in advance.
Correct（上司に）資料を準備しておきます。
With a superior, the full form 「ておきます」 must be used.
Exam tips
- 「とく」＝「ておく」 contracted; de-form → 「どく」, only used casually.