How to say "undo" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- godan verb, intransitive verb, transitive verbCovers undoing in the sense of opening something closed or sealed up, such as unsealing a letter or unpacking. It is at bottom 'to open', not a word for untying or unfastening.
- godan verb, transitive verbFor undoing things that are tied or laced: untying a knot, undoing laces, unfastening what was tied shut. This word is usually written using kana alone.
- 外すはずすgodan verb, transitive verbAt heart this means to remove, take off or detach something fitted or attached; its 'undo' sense is unfastening such things. For untying knots it is not the word you want.彼は眼鏡を外した。↗He took off his glasses.
- godan verb, transitive verbCovers untying, unfastening and unwrapping: undoing a knot or unwrapping a package. It overlaps closely with ほどく, and either is a natural choice for untying something tied.
Choose 「ひらく」 when undoing means opening or unsealing something closed, 「ほどく」 or 「とく」 for untying knots, laces and wrappings, and 「外す」 for unfastening or detaching something fitted or attached.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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