Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "置きます", "置く", "整える", "仕舞う", "揃える"
All represent the core concept "put", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
置きます
おきます (okimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
置く
おく (oku)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
整える
ととのえる (totonoeru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
仕舞う
しまう (shimau)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
揃える
そろえる (soroeru)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "put" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "置きます", "置く", "整える", "仕舞う", "揃える" based on context.
- 置きます (おきます (okimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to put, to place" and is used when Polite form of 置く.
- 置く (おく (oku) - Level: N5): Maps to "to put, to place" and is used when 物をある場所に静かに置くときに使います。Polite form is 置きます.
- 整える (ととのえる (totonoeru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to put in order, to arrange, to prepare, to get ready, to adjust" and is used when 乱れたものをきちんと「整理する」、必要なものを「準備する」という意味の他動詞です。/ A transitive verb meaning to 'organize' something messy, or to 'prepare' necessary items..
- 仕舞う (しまう (shimau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to put away, to finish, to store, to close (a shop)" and is used when As a main verb, it primarily means to put something away in its designated place or to finish an activity/close a business. As an auxiliary verb.
- 揃える (そろえる (soroeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to put in order, to arrange, to make uniform, to gather (transitive)" and is used when Transitive verb. Refers to intentionally gathering, arranging, or making things uniform..
Context for "置きます"
机の上に本を置きます。
I put the book on the desk.
Context for "置く"
テーブルの上に本を置きます。
I put the book on the table.
Context for "整える"
出かける前に、身支度を整えた。
I got myself ready before going out.
Context for "仕舞う"
使ったおもちゃを箱に仕舞った。
I put away the toys I used into the box.
Context for "揃える"
彼は机の上の書類をきれいに揃えた。
He neatly arranged the documents on the desk.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "机の上に本を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I put the book on the desk.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "置きます" is correct here because it represents "to put, to place" in the context: "I put the book on the desk.".