Translation guide
The English phrasal verb 'sort out' has several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether they mean organizing things, resolving problems, or separating items.
書類を整理する必要がある。
I need to sort out the documents.
To tidy up or put away, often used for cleaning up a room or putting things back in their place.
部屋を片付けなさい。
Sort out your room.
To find a solution to a problem, dispute, or difficult situation.
To solve or resolve a problem, issue, or conflict. The most direct equivalent for this meaning.
問題を早く解決したい。
I want to sort out the problem quickly.
彼らは争いを解決した。
They sorted out the dispute.
To manage or do something about a situation, often implying finding a way to deal with it. More casual and flexible.
この件は私が何とかします。
I'll sort this matter out.
To settle or finish something, often a troublesome matter. Slightly informal.
早くこの仕事に片を付けよう。
Let's sort out this work quickly.
To separate things into different groups or to pick out specific items from a mixture.
To sort out by selecting and separating, e.g., good from bad, or different types.
りんごを大きさで選り分けた。
I sorted out the apples by size.
To classify or categorize. More formal and systematic than 選り分ける.
書類を種類ごとに分類した。
I sorted out the documents by type.
To sort, classify, or separate items, often used in business or logistics contexts.
Do not translate 'sort out' word-for-word as ソートアウト. It is not used in Japanese. Always choose a verb that matches the specific meaning.
商品を仕分ける作業。
The task of sorting out goods.