解とく

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

untie; unfasten; undo

Physical action of untying knots, strings, ribbons, or unwrapping something tied or fastened.

• 靴くつひもを解とく。

  I untie my shoelaces.

• プレゼントのリボンを解といた。

  I untied the ribbon on the present.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

unsew; unstitch

Specifically for removing stitches or seams; less common than general untying.

• 縫ぬい目めを解といて、服ふくを直なおす。

  I unstitch the seams and mend the clothes.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

solve; work out; answer

Used for solving problems, puzzles, equations, riddles, or answering questions.

• 数すう学がくの問もん題だいを解とく。

  I solve a math problem.

• なぞなぞを解といてみてください。

  Please try to solve the riddle.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

dispel; clear up; remove (suspicion)

For resolving misunderstandings, doubts, or negative feelings; often used with 誤解, 疑い, 不満.

• 話はなし合あって誤ご解かいを解といた。

  We talked and cleared up the misunderstanding.

• 彼かれの説せつ明めいが私わたしの疑うたがいを解といた。

  His explanation dispelled my doubts.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

cancel; lift; release

For canceling contracts, lifting bans, releasing someone from duty, or ending a state of restriction. Sense 6 (release from duty) is merged here as a similar abstract removal of obligation.

• 契けい約やくを解とく。

  I cancel the contract.

• 彼かれはその役やく職しょくを解とかれた。

  He was released from that post.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

comb; untangle (hair)

Usually written in kana (とく). Refers to combing or carding hair to remove tangles. Cross-referenced with とかす.

See also: 梳かす

• シャワーの後あとで髪かみをとく。

  I comb my hair after a shower.