Translation guide
The English verb "organize" covers several distinct meanings: arranging things neatly, planning events, forming groups, and structuring information. Japanese uses different verbs for each.
Arrange physical items neatly or put a space in order.
The most common verb for tidying up a room, desk, or belongings. Transitive.
部屋を片付けた。
I organized my room.
机の上を片付けてください。
Please organize your desk.
To sort and put in order, often with the nuance of discarding unnecessary items. More systematic than 片付ける.
本棚を整理した。
I organized the bookshelf.
To arrange neatly, often used in formal contexts like workplace organization. Emphasizes orderliness.
道具を整頓してください。
Please organize the tools.
Arrange and coordinate an event, meeting, or trip.
To plan or organize an event, project, or activity. Common for parties, conferences, and campaigns.
パーティーを企画しています。
I'm organizing a party.
旅行を企画するのが好きです。
I like organizing trips.
To prepare or make arrangements for something. Often used when the focus is on the practical preparations.
会議の準備をしています。
I'm organizing the meeting.
To host or sponsor an event. Used when someone is the official organizer or host.
彼がそのイベントを主催した。
He organized the event.
Bring people together for a common purpose, such as a union or campaign.
To form or establish an organization, group, or system. Often used for unions, committees, or structured groups.
労働組合を組織した。
They organized a labor union.
To form or establish a group, team, or organization. Common for bands, clubs, or political groups.
新しいチームを結成した。
We organized a new team.
Arrange thoughts, data, or content in a logical way.
To sort out or organize information, ideas, or data. Can also mean to put one's thoughts in order.
情報を整理してください。
Please organize the information.
頭の中を整理したい。
I want to organize my thoughts.
To compile, summarize, or bring together into a coherent whole. Often used for documents, ideas, or opinions.
Manage time, tasks, or personal affairs efficiently.
To manage one's schedule. A natural way to express organizing time.
もっと上手にスケジュールを管理したい。
I want to organize my schedule better.
To get one's life in order. Used for lifestyle organization, including habits and routines.
生活を整えることが大切だ。
It's important to organize your life.
片付ける focuses on putting things away and making a space look tidy. 整理する implies sorting, categorizing, and often discarding unnecessary items. For physical spaces, 片付ける is more common in daily conversation.
部屋を片付ける（日常的な掃除）
Tidy up the room (routine cleaning)
本棚を整理する（不要な本を捨てる）
Organize the bookshelf (discard unneeded books)
組織する means to form an organization or structured group. Using it for physical tidying would sound very unnatural.
✕ 部屋を組織する
Incorrect: 'organize a room' using 組織する
レポートをまとめる。
Organize a report.