Translation guide
The act of putting things in order, cleaning up a space, or organizing items. Japanese has several common verbs and phrases that cover different nuances of tidying up, from quick straightening to deep cleaning and decluttering.
To straighten up a room, desk, or area by putting things back where they belong.
The most common and versatile verb for tidying up. It implies putting things away and making a space neat.
部屋を片付けてください。
Please tidy up your room.
机の上を片付けた。
I tidied up my desk.
Focuses on organizing, sorting, and putting things in logical order. Often used for documents, data, or systematic arrangement.
Literally 'make clean/pretty'. Used for both tidying and cleaning, implying a neat and clean result.
部屋をきれいにした。
I tidied up / cleaned the room.
To quickly put away a few things or straighten up a small area.
Casual, shorter form of 片付ける. Common in spoken Japanese for light tidying.
ちょっと片すね。
I'll just tidy up a bit.
おもちゃを片しなさい。
Put away your toys.
Means to tidy up quickly or in a flash.
さっと片付けてから出かけよう。
Let's quickly tidy up and then go out.
To go through belongings, discard unnecessary items, and deeply organize a space.
A popular term combining refusal, disposal, and separation. Refers to the minimalist practice of decluttering and letting go of possessions.
週末に断捨離した。
I decluttered over the weekend.
Noun form of 片付ける. Often used in the context of 'tidying up' as a concept or activity, especially in the KonMari method.
To put away things used during a meal, project, or gathering.
Specifically refers to cleaning up after something, like washing dishes after a meal or putting away equipment after an event.
食事の後片付けをする。
I clean up after the meal.
パーティーの後片付けが大変だ。
Cleaning up after the party is tough.
Also used for post-activity cleanup, often with context.
To make oneself look neat, such as fixing hair or clothes.
Refers to grooming and making one's appearance neat. Not about cleaning a room, but about personal tidiness.
出かける前に身だしなみを整えた。
I tidied myself up before going out.
Similar to above, focusing on clothing and overall appearance.
面接のために身なりを整えた。
I tidied up my appearance for the interview.
片付ける (katazukeru) means to put things away and straighten up. 掃除する (souji suru) means to clean by sweeping, wiping, or vacuuming. They are often used together: 部屋を片付けてから掃除する (tidy up the room, then clean it).
まず片付けて、それから掃除しよう。
Let's tidy up first, then clean.
English 'tidying up' often overlaps with light cleaning, but in Japanese, 片付ける does not include dusting or mopping. Use 掃除する for actual cleaning tasks.
料理の後を片付ける。
I tidy up after cooking.