Translation guide
The English phrasal verb 'do up' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: fastening or closing something, renovating or redecorating, wrapping or packaging, and styling hair or clothing. Each meaning is explained with natural Japanese equivalents.
To fasten, button, zip, tie, or close an item of clothing, a bag, or a container.
General verb for fastening or tightening something like a belt, tie, or seatbelt. Also used for closing a bag or container.
Please do up your seatbelt.
To do up a tie.
Used for closing things like doors, windows, or lids. Not for clothing fasteners.
Do not use for clothing fasteners; use 締める or specific verbs like ボタンをかける.
Please do up the window.
Specifically for doing up buttons.
Do up your coat buttons.
Specifically for doing up a zipper.
Do up the zipper on your bag.
For doing up shoelaces or strings.
Do up your shoelaces.
To repair, renovate, or redecorate a room, building, or object.
General term for renovating or remodeling a building or room.
It took six months to do up the house.
Common loanword for home renovation or remodeling, often used in real estate and DIY contexts.
I want to do up the kitchen.
To repair or fix something, like a car or appliance. Less about decoration, more about functionality.
To maintain or refurbish something, often used for gardens, leather goods, or small items.
To do up the garden.
To wrap or package something, often as a gift or for storage.
To wrap something in paper or cloth.
Please do up the present nicely.
More formal term for packaging or wrapping, often used in stores.
Could you do up this item for me?
Loanword for gift-wrapping, common in casual contexts.
Can you do this up as a gift?
To arrange or style hair, or to dress up in a particular way.
The English phrasal verb 'do up' has no single Japanese equivalent. Translating word-for-word will result in unnatural Japanese. Always choose the verb that matches the specific action (fastening, renovating, wrapping, styling).
I did up an old car and am driving it.
I had my hair done up for the wedding.