What does it mean word for word?
Together, they mean 'to take and leave (for later)'.
Which one should you use?
While both 取る and 取っておく can be translated as 'to take', 取っておく specifically implies the intention of preserving the object for future use.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite request suitable for most social situations, you can use 取っておいてください. In formal settings, you may also use それは持っておいてください to mean 'please keep that'. Informal ways to say 'keep that' include それを持っておいて or the friendlier それは持っておいてね, which adds the particle ね to sound more casual. Among young people, the expression それをキープして is also popular as it utilizes the English loanword 'keep' written in katakana as キープ.
How does it change in a sentence?
The te-form 取っておいて is used when you are asking someone to keep something for you. If you are stating that you will keep something for the listener's benefit or simply stating the fact, use the polite form 取っておきます. To describe an object that has already been saved or retained, use the past tense 取っておいた.
How do you pronounce it?
sore o totte oku
Did you know?
- Japanese has different verbs for 'keeping' based on the object: 取っておく is for saving something, but 飼う is used specifically for keeping or raising a pet.
- While キープ comes from the English word 'keep', it is frequently used in Japan to describe reserving a seat in a cafe or a spot in a queue by leaving a small object behind.
- If you want to say 'keep a secret' in Japanese, you would not use 取っておく, but rather a different set of verbs entirely, as the concept of 'keeping' changes depending on the noun.
Examples in context
- 大事なものだから、それを取っておくね。Daiji na mono dakara, sore o totte oku ne.It's important, so I'll keep that.
Example conversation
Hina is giving Youta a useful tool he might need later.
- 陽葵 Himariこれ、もう使わないから陽太がそれを取っておいて。kore, mou tsukawanai kara youta ga sore o totte oite.I don't use this anymore, so Youta, please keep it.
- 陽太 Yotaいいの？ありがとう！ii no? arigatou!Are you sure? Thanks!
- 陽葵 Himariうん、いつか役に立つと思うよ。un, itsuka yakunitatsu to omou yo.Yeah, I think it will be useful someday.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。大切にそれを取っておくね。wakatta. taisetsu ni sore o totte oku ne.Got it. I'll keep it safe.
