3 Japanese words read oku

oku (おく) is shared by 3 distinct words, each with its own kanji and meaning. Jump to: 置く · · .

置く

おく

To put; to place; to lay

N5verb·oku

How to remember it

置 shows a hand setting an object down onto a surface.

Example sentences

  • 本を机の上に置いてください。

    ほんをつくえのうえにおいてください。

    Please put the book on the desk.

  • 鍵をどこに置きましたか。

    かぎをどこにおきましたか。

    Where did you put the keys?

Usage

Godan verb, transitive; 〜ておく means doing something in advance.

Related words

しまうのせる片付ける持つ

おく

Hundred million (100,000,000)

N4counter·oku

How to remember it

億 = 1 with eight zeros; 'OKU' has 8 letters to count the zeros.

Example sentences

  • 日本の人口は一億を超えた。

    にほんのじんこうはいちおくをこえた。

    Japan's population exceeded one hundred million.

  • 彼は三億円当てた。

    かれはさんおくえんあてた。

    He won three hundred million yen.

Usage

Used after a number (一億, 三億); one 億 equals 10^8.

Related words

千万億万長者

おく

Interior, inner part

N3noun·oku

How to remember it

奥 depicts a roof with something tucked deep inside — the innermost room.

Example sentences

  • 部屋の奥に本棚がある。

    へやのおくにほんだながある。

    There is a bookshelf in the back of the room.

  • 奥まで入ってください。

    おくまではいってください。

    Please go further inside.

Usage

Marks physical depth; 奥さん also politely means 'wife'.

Related words

奥さん奥行き

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