every ...; at intervals of ...; ... apart
Attaches to a noun indicating a distance, time period, or number of objects to express regular intervals. Often translates as 'every ...' or 'every other ...' depending on context. For example, 1メートルおき means 'at intervals of one meter' or 'every meter'.
この道には10メートルおきに木が植えてある。
Trees are planted every 10 meters along this road.
Streetlights stand at intervals of ten meters along this road.
この薬は6時間おきに飲んでください。
Please take this medicine every six hours.
彼は一日おきにジムに行く。
He goes to the gym every other day.
医者に3日おきに来るように言われた。
The doctor told me to come in every three days.
This bus comes every fifteen minutes.
Please leave every other seat empty when sitting.
replacement; substitution; displacement
setting aside; leaving aside
place to put something; storage space
move to another position; change the position of; rearrange · replace; substitute; swap; switch
leaving behind; abandonment; desertion
leaving as is; deferment; keeping unchanged · unredeemed; deferred; stationary
preface; introduction; preamble
reserving; setting aside; laying away
stock; reserve; supply
be replaced; be exchanged; be swapped; be rearranged
note left behind; letter left behind; will
chopstick rest
letter left behind; farewell note
luggage theft; bag snatching · luggage thief; bag snatcher
table clock; desk clock; mantel clock
punishment (of children); spanking; scolding · criminal punishment (esp. execution; Edo period)
punishment; spanking · criminal punishment; execution
every other one; alternate
every other day
temporary placement; putting something temporarily · preliminary placement; provisional placement
placed flat; horizontally mounted; lay-flat
landscape-oriented; horizontal placement
application of paste (for resist dyeing)
portrait orientation; vertical placement
spare umbrella kept at work or school
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 置き is also used, but kana is more common.
Kanji form, less common than kana. Can be used in formal or written contexts.
Derived from the verb 置く (おく, 'to put, place'), suggesting the idea of placing intervals. The suffix usage developed from the concept of leaving a space or time between things.