片付ける・片づける|かたづけるkatazukeru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
片付ける片付ける is the most common written form; it combines kanji and kana and is the first choice for beginners.
片づける片づける is a less common kanji-and-kana variant of 片付ける. Learners may recognize it, but 片付ける is the preferred choice.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto put in order; to tidy up; to clean up; to put away; to clear away
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto settle (a matter); to solve; to deal with; to dispose of
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto finish; to get through; to complete; to get (something) done
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto marry off (one's daughter)occ. written as 嫁ける
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto do away with (someone); to bump off; to kill; to eliminate
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 片付ける（かたづける） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 片付けます（かたづけます） |
| Negative (nai) | 片付けない（かたづけない） |
| polite (masen) | 片付けません（かたづけません） |
| classical zu / nu | 片付けず・片付けぬ（かたづけず・かたづけぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 片付けた（かたづけた） |
| polite (mashita) | 片付けました（かたづけました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 片付けなかった（かたづけなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 片付けませんでした（かたづけませんでした） |
| Te form | 片付けて（かたづけて） |
| Potential | 片付けられる（かたづけられる） |
| Passive | 片付けられる（かたづけられる） |
| Causative | 片付けさせる（かたづけさせる） |
| Causative passive | 片付けさせられる（かたづけさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 片付ければ（かたづければ） |
| tara | 片付けたら（かたづけたら） |
| Volitional | 片付けよう（かたづけよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 片付けましょう（かたづけましょう） |
| Imperative | 片付けろ（かたづけろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
部屋を片付ける
片付く focuses on the state change — the room becoming tidy — whereas 片付ける emphasizes the deliberate action of someone tidying the room.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym整えるととのえるNeutralFor making something neat and orderly or getting it ready, as in 「身なりを整える」; the focus is on tidiness, not putting things away.
- Synonym処分しょぶんWrittenA written/formal term for getting rid of something or punishing, as in 「古い家具を処分する」.
- Synonym処理しょりNeutralFor handling or processing matters, as in 「データを処理する」; the focus is on working through things by set procedure.
- Synonym整理せいりNeutralFor sorting and organizing, as in 「書類を整理する」; the focus is on classifying and putting things in order.
- Synonym始末しまつNeutralFor cleaning up afterwards or dealing with the aftermath, as in 「後始末」; it can also refer to how something turned out.
- Synonym済ませるすませるCasualColloquial; for getting a task done or finished, as in 「用事を済ませる」.
- Synonym取り片付けるとりかたづけるCasualColloquial word for cleaning things up; synonymous with 「片付ける」 but used less often.
- Synonym片すかたすCasualColloquial; for tidying something away or moving it aside, as in 「おもちゃを片す」; carries an eastern (Kanto) dialect flavor.
- Related解決かいけつNeutralFor bringing a problem or matter to a resolution, as in 「問題が解決した」; 「片付ける」 sounds more casual for saying you've dealt with something.
- Related清算せいさんWrittenA written/formal term for settling accounts or putting the past behind you, as in 「過去を清算する」.
- Related済ますすますNeutralFor finishing or getting something over with, or making do, as in 「昼食をパンで済ます」.
「片付ける」 is the default for tidying up. Use 「整理」 for sorting, 「整える」 for making things neat, 「処分」 for disposing of them, 「始末」 for cleaning up after, 「済ませる」 for getting tasks done, and 「解決」 for solving problems.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
