畳む 30秒了解
- Tatamu is the primary Japanese verb for folding laundry, blankets, and umbrellas.
- It differs from 'oru' (folding paper/origami) by focusing on flexible, storable items.
- Metaphorically, it means to permanently close a business or wind up an activity.
- It is a Godan verb (Type 1) and is essential for describing daily household chores.
The Japanese verb 畳む (tatamu) is a cornerstone of Japanese domestic life and organizational culture. At its most fundamental level, it refers to the act of folding something flexible—typically fabric, paper, or leather—into a smaller, more compact shape. However, to understand tatamu is to understand the Japanese relationship with space. In a country where living quarters have historically been small, the ability to 'fold away' the day's utility is essential. You don't just 'fold' clothes; you tatamu them to respect the space they occupy. This word is most frequently encountered in the context of laundry, bedding, and umbrellas, but it also carries a heavy metaphorical weight in business and life transitions.
- Core Physical Action
- The primary use is folding laundry (洗濯物を畳む - sentakumono o tatamu). It implies a neat, intentional process of making something flat and orderly.
- Bedding Culture
- In traditional Japanese rooms, the futon is not left out. Every morning, one must tatamu the futon to clear the floor space for daily activities.
- Abstract Usage
- When a business closes permanently, the Japanese say '店を畳む' (mise o tatamu), literally 'folding the shop.' This suggests a tidy conclusion rather than a chaotic collapse.
乾いた洗濯物をきれいに畳むのは、毎日の習慣です。(Folding the dried laundry neatly is a daily habit.)
When you use tatamu, you are describing a transition from a state of 'use' or 'expansion' to a state of 'storage' or 'conclusion.' It is a transitive verb (ta-doushi), meaning you are the agent performing the action on an object. Whether it is a map, a letter, or a cardboard box, the nuance remains the same: bringing the edges together to minimize the footprint. In modern Japanese, you will hear it most often from parents telling children to clean up, or in retail settings where staff meticulously fold garments to maintain a pristine store appearance.
傘を畳んでから建物に入ってください。(Please fold your umbrella before entering the building.)
- Social Nuance
- Folding things neatly is often seen as a sign of character in Japan. A person who can tatamu their clothes well is viewed as disciplined and considerate.
Using 畳む (tatamu) correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure as a Godan verb (Type 1). The basic pattern is [Object] + [Particle を] + [畳む]. Because it is a physical action, it is frequently used in the continuous form (~ている) to describe someone currently in the act of folding, or in the request form (~てください) when asking someone to help with chores.
- Daily Chores
- The most common object is '洗濯物' (sentakumono - laundry). Example: '母はリビングで洗濯物を畳んでいます' (My mother is folding laundry in the living room).
- Travel and Commute
- Folding an umbrella or a map. Example: '雨が止んだので、傘を畳みました' (Since the rain stopped, I folded my umbrella).
このTシャツを畳んでくれますか？ (Could you fold this T-shirt for me?)
In more formal or metaphorical contexts, tatamu appears in business discussions. '事業を畳む' (jigyou o tatamu) means to wind up a business operation. Here, the verb implies a systematic closing down, much like how one carefully folds a cloth to put it away. It conveys a sense of finality but also orderliness. In the passive form, tatamareru, it might describe a shop that was forced to close, though this is less common in daily speech than the active form.
- Potential Form
- 畳める (tatameru - can fold). 'この椅子は畳めます' (This chair can be folded/is foldable).
- Causative Form
- 畳ませる (tatamaseru - make someone fold). '子供に服を畳ませました' (I made my child fold the clothes).
布団を畳んで、押し入れにしまいました。(I folded the futon and put it in the closet.)
You will encounter 畳む (tatamu) in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the intimacy of a Japanese home to the professional environment of a high-end boutique. It is a word that bridges the gap between 'chores' and 'etiquette.'
- At Home (Domestic Life)
- The most common place to hear this is during laundry time. Parents often tell their children, '洗濯物を畳むのを手伝って' (Help me fold the laundry). It is also heard every morning in traditional households regarding the futon.
- Retail Environments
- In clothing stores like Uniqlo or Muji, you will see staff constantly tatamu-ing clothes that customers have unfolded. Managers might instruct staff to '綺麗に畳み直して' (re-fold them neatly).
店員さんがシャツを素早く畳む様子は、見ていて気持ちがいい。(Watching the shop assistant fold shirts quickly is satisfying.)
In rainy weather, the word is ubiquitous. Train stations often have signs asking passengers to '傘を畳んでからご乗車ください' (Please fold your umbrellas before boarding). This is a matter of public manners (manner) to prevent getting other passengers wet. Similarly, in business news, you might hear a reporter mention that a long-standing family restaurant has decided to '店を畳む' due to the lack of a successor. This use of tatamu carries a nostalgic and slightly sad tone, suggesting the end of an era.
- Outdoor Activities
- When camping, you tatamu the tent (テント) or the groundsheet. Anything that expands for use and collapses for transport uses this verb.
For English speakers, the biggest challenge with 畳む (tatamu) is distinguishing it from other verbs that translate to 'fold' in English, specifically 折る (oru). While English uses 'fold' for both laundry and origami, Japanese makes a sharp distinction based on the material and the intent.
- Tatamu vs. Oru
- Use tatamu for soft things (clothes, blankets) or things with hinges/joints (umbrellas, chairs). Use oru for paper (origami), breaking a bone (hone o oru), or folding a stiff material where a permanent crease might be intended.
✕ 紙を畳む (Incorrect for simple paper folding)
○ 紙を折る (Correct for paper folding)
Another mistake involves the 'closing' nuance. Learners often use shimeru (閉める - to close a door) when they mean tatamu (to close a business). If you say '店を閉める,' it usually means you are closing the shop for the night. If you say '店を畳む,' it means you are going out of business forever. Mixing these up can lead to significant misunderstandings!
- Overusing with Paper
- While you CAN tatamu a large map or a newspaper (because they are large and being 'put away'), you should never use it for origami or folding a small note.
While 畳む (tatamu) is the standard term for folding, several related words offer more specific nuances or alternative meanings in similar contexts.
- 折り畳む (Oritatamu)
- This is a compound of oru and tatamu. It is almost always used for things designed to be folded, like an '折り畳み傘' (folding umbrella) or an '折り畳み自転車' (folding bike). It emphasizes the mechanical nature of the folding.
- 仕舞う (Shimau)
- Meaning 'to put away.' Often, the purpose of tatamu is to shimau. You fold the clothes so you can put them away in the drawer.
- 閉じる (Tojiru)
- Used for closing books, eyes, or umbrellas. While you tatamu an umbrella to make it small, the act of clicking it shut is tojiru.
彼は新聞を折り畳んでカバンに入れた。(He folded up the newspaper and put it in his bag.)
In terms of register, tatamu is neutral. In very formal business Japanese, instead of mise o tatamu, one might use heigyou suru (閉業する - to cease business) or tensai suru (in specific contexts). However, for everyday folding, tatamu remains the undisputed king of verbs.
How Formal Is It?
趣味小知识
The word 'Tatami' (the famous Japanese mats) comes from this verb because early tatami mats were thin and could be folded or piled up when not in use.
发音指南
- Pronouncing the 'u' too strongly at the end.
- Confusing the pitch accent with 'tatami'.
难度评级
The kanji 畳 is common but has many strokes. However, the verb itself is very frequent.
Writing 畳 correctly requires attention to the top and bottom components.
The pronunciation is simple and the usage is straightforward.
Clear sound and usually distinct context.
接下来学什么
前置知识
接下来学习
高级
需要掌握的语法
Transitive Verbs (他動詞)
私は服を畳む。 (I fold the clothes.)
Potential Form (可能形)
この傘は簡単に畳める。 (This umbrella can be folded easily.)
Te-form for Requests
タオルを畳んでください。 (Please fold the towel.)
Te-oku (Preparation)
後で使うので、畳んでおきます。 (I'll fold it in advance because I'll use it later.)
Causative Form (使役形)
母は私に洗濯物を畳ませた。 (Mother made me fold the laundry.)
按水平分级的例句
タオルを畳みます。
I fold the towel.
Basic verb form.
服を畳んでください。
Please fold the clothes.
~te kudasai for requests.
洗濯物を畳みました。
I folded the laundry.
Past tense.
お母さんは服を畳んでいます。
My mother is folding clothes.
~te iru for ongoing action.
これは畳むのが難しいです。
This is hard to fold.
Verb nominalizer 'no'.
一緒に畳みましょう。
Let's fold them together.
~mashou for suggestions.
シャツをきれいに畳む。
Fold the shirt neatly.
Adverbial 'kirei ni'.
毎日畳みますか？
Do you fold them every day?
Question form.
傘を畳んで中に入ります。
I fold my umbrella and go inside.
Sequential actions with ~te.
布団を畳んで押し入れに入れます。
I fold the futon and put it in the closet.
Standard morning routine sentence.
この椅子は小さく畳めます。
This chair can be folded small.
Potential form 'tatameru'.
地図を半分に畳んでください。
Please fold the map in half.
Particle 'ni' for result.
雨が降っていないので、傘を畳みました。
Since it's not raining, I folded my umbrella.
Reasoning with 'node'.
もっと丁寧に畳んでください。
Please fold it more carefully.
Comparative 'motto'.
洗濯物を畳むのが嫌いです。
I hate folding laundry.
Expressing dislike.
これを畳むのを手伝ってくれますか？
Can you help me fold this?
Request for help.
店を畳むことにしました。
I decided to close down the shop.
Decision making 'koto ni suru'.
使わないときは畳んでおけます。
You can keep it folded when not in use.
~te oku (preparatory state).
彼は黙々と洗濯物を畳み続けた。
He continued folding laundry silently.
Compound verb ~tsuzukeru.
急いでいたので、傘を畳まずに店に入った。
I was in a hurry, so I entered the shop without folding my umbrella.
Negative 'zu ni' (without doing).
このバッグは畳むとポケットに入ります。
If you fold this bag, it fits in a pocket.
Conditional 'to'.
彼は将来、自分の店を畳むつもりはない。
He has no intention of closing his shop in the future.
Expressing intention 'tsumori'.
丁寧に畳まれた服が棚に並んでいる。
Neatly folded clothes are lined up on the shelf.
Passive participle used as adjective.
布団を畳むのは、日本の生活の基本です。
Folding the futon is a basic part of Japanese life.
General statement.
彼は事業を畳んで、田舎へ引っ越した。
He wound up his business and moved to the countryside.
Narrative sequence.
相手の反論を畳みかけるように論破した。
He refuted the opponent's argument in a rapid-fire manner.
Idiomatic 'tatamikakeru'.
その老舗旅館は、ついに幕を畳んだ。
That long-established inn finally closed its curtains (shut down).
Metaphorical 'maku o tatamu'.
折り畳み式の自転車は通勤に便利だ。
Folding bicycles are convenient for commuting.
Noun modification 'shiki'.
彼は手紙を三つに畳んで封筒に入れた。
He folded the letter in three and put it in the envelope.
Specific division 'mitsu ni'.
忙しすぎて、洗濯物を畳む暇もない。
I'm so busy I don't even have time to fold laundry.
Expressing lack of time.
テントを畳む作業は意外と時間がかかる。
The task of folding the tent takes surprisingly long.
Adverb 'igaito'.
彼は自分の非を認め、話を畳もうとした。
He admitted his fault and tried to wrap up the conversation.
Volitional 'tatamou' + 'to suru'.
不況の煽りを受けて、多くの個人商店が店を畳まざるを得なかった。
Due to the recession, many small shops were forced to close down.
~zaru o enai (forced to).
彼女は思い出を胸の奥に畳み込み、前を向いた。
She tucked away her memories deep in her heart and looked forward.
Abstract 'tatamikomu'.
屏風を畳むと、部屋の雰囲気が一変する。
When the folding screen is folded away, the room's atmosphere completely changes.
Describing environmental change.
畳みかけるような質問に、彼はたじろいだ。
He flinched at the barrage of questions.
Idiomatic usage for intensity.
和服を正しく畳むには、熟練の技が必要だ。
Folding a kimono correctly requires expert skill.
Conditional 'ni wa'.
彼は野心を畳み、静かな余生を送ることにした。
He folded away his ambition and decided to spend a quiet retirement.
Metaphorical use for emotions/goals.
その計画は、資金不足により畳まれることとなった。
The project was decided to be folded due to lack of funds.
Passive 'tatamareru' + 'koto to natta'.
風呂敷を畳む所作一つにも、その人の品格が表れる。
Even in the single gesture of folding a furoshiki, a person's dignity is revealed.
Emphatic 'hitotsu nimo'.
歴史の荒波の中で、かつての王国はその幕を畳んでいった。
Amidst the rough waves of history, the former kingdom eventually folded its curtains.
Highly literary style.
彼は自らの命を畳むかのような覚悟で、最後の任務に挑んだ。
He took on the final mission with the resolve of one ready to fold up his own life.
Extreme metaphorical use.
宇宙の膨張がいずれ止まり、収縮へと転じるなら、それは宇宙が畳まれる過程なのだろうか。
If the expansion of the universe eventually stops and turns to contraction, would that be the process of the universe folding up?
Philosophical/Scientific speculation.
伝統の技を次世代に継承できず、工房を畳むのは断腸の思いだ。
It is heartbreaking to close the workshop because the traditional skills cannot be passed to the next generation.
Idiomatic 'danchou no omoi'.
事態を畳み込むように収束させる手腕は、実に見事であった。
His skill in bringing the situation to a swift and orderly conclusion was truly magnificent.
Complex compound usage.
万象を畳み、一なる真理へと帰結する。
Folding all phenomena, they culminate in a single truth.
Spiritual/Archaic tone.
彼は過去の栄光を畳み、名もなき一市民として生きる道を選んだ。
He folded away his past glory and chose to live as an anonymous citizen.
Sophisticated narrative.
折り畳まれた時間の中に、失われた記憶が眠っている。
Within folded time, lost memories lie dormant.
Poetic expression.
常见搭配
常用短语
— A folding umbrella. This is the standard term for portable umbrellas.
カバンに折り畳み傘を入れています。
— To press someone for an answer or follow up an attack quickly.
彼は畳みかけるように質問した。
— To go out of business. It suggests a final, permanent closure.
あの老舗のパン屋が店を畳むそうだ。
— To fold the futon. An essential daily chore in Japanese homes.
布団を畳んで部屋を広くする。
— To fold clothes. A basic household task.
子供に自分の服を畳ませる。
— To fold/close an umbrella. Important for manners in Japan.
入り口で傘を畳んでください。
— A three-fold method. Often used for letters or napkins.
手紙を三つ畳みにする。
— To re-fold something. Often heard in retail stores.
崩れた商品を畳み直す。
— Tucking in or folding into. Used in sewing or abstractly.
裾を畳み込んで縫う。
— To wind up a business or project.
赤字が続いたので事業を畳んだ。
容易混淆的词
Oru is for paper or breaking things; Tatamu is for laundry and umbrellas.
Shimeru is for doors/windows; Tatamu is for folding things or permanent business closure.
Shimau is putting away; Tatamu is the specific action of folding before putting away.
习语与表达
— To close down a business permanently.
父は高齢のため店を畳む決心をした。
Neutral— To bring something to an end, like a career or era.
彼は現役生活の幕を畳んだ。
Literary— To do something in quick succession without giving the other person a chance to recover.
畳みかけるような攻撃で勝利した。
Neutral— To keep a secret or feeling to oneself.
その秘密は自分の胸に畳んでおこう。
Literary— To wrap up a situation, often after making big claims.
広げた大風呂敷をどう畳むつもりだ？
Idiomatic— To rest or settle down after a period of activity.
鳥が木の上で羽を畳んでいる。
Neutral— To give up on a cause or movement.
反対運動はついに旗を畳んだ。
Metaphorical— Convolution (mathematical term).
信号処理で畳み込み積分を使う。
Academic— To wrap up a conversation.
時間がないので、そろそろ話を畳もう。
Neutral— To sit down properly (archaic/rare).
彼は静かに腰を畳んだ。
Archaic容易混淆
Both mean 'fold' in English.
Tatamu is for flexible objects being stored; Oru is for creating a crease or breaking.
折り紙を折る (fold origami) vs 洗濯物を畳む (fold laundry).
Both can apply to umbrellas.
Tojiru is the act of closing the mechanism; Tatamu is the act of wrapping the fabric neatly.
傘を閉じてから、きれいに畳む。
Same kanji and sound root.
Tatami is the noun for the mat; Tatamu is the verb for folding.
畳の上で服を畳む。
Includes the word 'tatamu'.
It is an idiom meaning to press someone relentlessly, not physically folding anything.
質問を畳みかける。
Very similar meaning.
Oritatamu specifically emphasizes that the item was designed to be folded (like a laptop or folding chair).
折り畳み自転車。
句型
[Object] を 畳みます
服を畳みます。
[Object] を [Result] に 畳む
タオルを半分に畳む。
[Object] を 畳んで おく
傘を畳んでおく。
[Business] を 畳む
店を畳む。
畳みかけるように [Verb]
畳みかけるように質問する。
[Object] を [Place] に 畳み込む
思い出を胸に畳み込む。
[Object] が 畳まれる
計画が畳まれる。
[Era/Life] の 幕を 畳む
現役生活の幕を畳む。
词族
名词
动词
形容词
相关
如何使用
Extremely frequent in daily life chores and moderately frequent in business metaphors.
-
Using 'tatamu' for origami.
→
折る (oru)
Origami involves precise creases in paper, which requires 'oru'.
-
Using 'tatamu' for closing a door.
→
閉める (shimeru)
'Tatamu' is for folding, not swinging a door shut.
-
Saying 'mise o tatamu' for nightly closing.
→
店を閉める (mise o shimeru)
'Tatamu' implies the shop is going out of business permanently.
-
Using 'ga' instead of 'o' for laundry.
→
洗濯物を畳む
'Tatamu' is a transitive verb; you need 'o' to show what you are folding.
-
Confusing 'tatamu' with 'tsutsumu' (to wrap).
→
畳む (fold) vs 包む (wrap)
Folding (tatamu) is making something smaller; wrapping (tsutsumu) is covering something.
小贴士
Retail Folding
In Japan, retail folding is very precise. Use 'tatamu' to describe this meticulous process.
Particle Choice
Always use 'o' (を) for the object you are folding.
Futon Care
Remember that 'futon o tatamu' is a mandatory morning chore in traditional rooms.
Umbrella Manners
Folding your umbrella ('kasa o tatamu') before entering a building is a key social rule.
Tatami Connection
Associate 'tatamu' with the neatness of a 'tatami' room.
Permanent Closure
Use 'tatamu' when a business is ending its history.
Soft vs Hard
If it's soft and fabric-like, use 'tatamu'. If it's hard or paper, use 'oru'.
Oritatamu
Look for '折り畳み' on products to identify foldable items.
Helping Out
Asking 'Tatamu no o tetsudaimashou ka?' (Shall I help you fold?) is a great way to be helpful.
Tatamikakeru
Use this to describe a fast-paced debate or sports play.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of a 'Tatami' mat. You need to 'Tatamu' (fold) your clothes before you can sit on the 'Tatami' mat neatly.
视觉联想
Imagine a stack of perfectly folded laundry in a Japanese home. The neatness of the stack is the essence of 'tatamu'.
Word Web
挑战
Try to say 'Sentakumono o tatamu' five times fast while pretending to fold a t-shirt.
词源
Derived from the ancient Japanese verb 'tata' meaning to pile up or fold. It is closely related to the noun 'tatami'.
原始含义： To stack or fold flexible layers on top of each other.
Japonic文化背景
When using 'mise o tatamu' (closing a shop), be careful as it can be a sensitive topic for the owner. It implies a permanent end.
English speakers often use 'fold' for everything, whereas Japanese speakers are much more specific. The 'closing business' metaphor is similar to 'folding' in poker, but in Japanese, it's much more common in daily life.
在生活中练习
真实语境
Doing Laundry
- 洗濯物を畳む
- タオルを畳む
- きれいに畳む
- 畳み直す
Morning Routine
- 布団を畳む
- 押し入れにしまう
- シーツを畳む
- 毛布を畳む
Rainy Days
- 傘を畳む
- 折り畳み傘
- 濡れたまま畳まない
- しっかり畳む
Business News
- 店を畳む
- 事業を畳む
- 会社を畳む
- 幕を畳む
Shopping
- 畳めるバッグ
- 折り畳み椅子
- コンパクトに畳む
- 畳めるタイプ
对话开场白
"洗濯物を畳むのは好きですか、それとも嫌いですか？ (Do you like or hate folding laundry?)"
"折り畳み傘をいつも持ち歩いていますか？ (Do you always carry a folding umbrella?)"
"最近、近所で畳んだ店はありますか？ (Are there any shops nearby that closed down recently?)"
"布団を畳むのと、ベッドメイキングをするのと、どちらが大変だと思いますか？ (Which do you think is harder: folding a futon or making a bed?)"
"服をきれいに畳むコツを知っていますか？ (Do you know any tips for folding clothes neatly?)"
日记主题
今日、畳んだものについて書いてください。 (Write about the things you folded today.)
もし自分の店を畳まなければならなくなったら、どう感じますか？ (How would you feel if you had to close your own shop?)
日本の「畳む」文化について、あなたの国の文化と比較してください。 (Compare the Japanese 'folding' culture with your own country's culture.)
子供の頃、洗濯物を畳む手伝いをしていましたか？ (Did you help fold laundry when you were a child?)
「店を畳む」という言葉の響きについて、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about the nuance of the phrase 'closing a shop'?)
常见问题
10 个问题No, you should use 'oru' (折る) for origami. 'Tatamu' is for things like clothes or blankets.
'Mise o shimeru' usually means closing the shop for the day. 'Mise o tatamu' means closing the business forever.
Only if the paper is very large and you are 'putting it away,' like a large map or a newspaper. For small paper, use 'oru'.
You say '半分に畳む' (hanbun ni tatamu).
It is a neutral word. You can make it polite by saying 'tatamimasu'.
It means to follow up an action or question very quickly, like a barrage.
Usually, we use 'tojiru' (close) or 'tatamu' if it's a foldable screen, but 'tojiru' is more common for laptops.
Yes, 'tatami' (folding/stacking), but it most commonly refers to the floor mats.
Because historically, tatami mats were thin and could be folded up when not needed.
No, for folding arms, we say 'ude o kumu' (腕を組む).
自我测试 180 个问题
Write 'Please fold the laundry' in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'I folded the umbrella' in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'This chair can be folded' in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'I decided to close the shop' using 'tatamu'.
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Write 'Fold the towel in half' in Japanese.
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Describe your morning routine using 'futon' and 'tatamu'.
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Use 'tatamikakeru' in a sentence about a debate.
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Explain the difference between 'tatamu' and 'oru' in Japanese.
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Write 'I don't like folding clothes' in Japanese.
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Write 'Fold up the tent' in Japanese.
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Translate: 'He folded the letter and put it in his pocket.'
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Translate: 'The project was folded due to a lack of money.'
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Write a sentence using 'oritatami gasa'.
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Write: 'I made my brother fold the laundry.'
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Write: 'If you fold it small, it's easy to carry.'
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Write: 'Please fold the blanket neatly.'
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Write: 'The shop was forced to close.' (Passive)
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Write: 'Watching him fold shirts is impressive.'
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Write: 'I forgot to fold my umbrella.'
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Write: 'He folded his wings.' (Metaphorical)
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Say: 'I am folding the laundry now.'
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Say: 'Please fold your umbrella.'
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Ask: 'Can you fold this towel?'
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Say: 'I fold my futon every morning.'
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Say: 'I'll fold it later.'
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Ask: 'Where should I put the folded clothes?'
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Say: 'This bag is foldable.'
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Say: 'He decided to close his business.'
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Say: 'Please fold it in half.'
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Say: 'I'm not good at folding laundry.'
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Say: 'Help me fold this, please.'
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Say: 'I already folded the umbrella.'
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Say: 'The shop is folding up.'
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Say: 'Fold the paper... no, fold the clothes.'
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Say: 'It's neatly folded.'
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Say: 'Don't forget to fold the futon.'
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Say: 'Can I fold this map?'
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Say: 'I'll fold it in three.'
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Say: 'The rain stopped, so fold your umbrella.'
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Say: 'I have to fold all of this.'
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Listen for the verb: '洗濯物を畳んでください。'
Identify the object: '傘を畳みます。'
Listen for the potential: 'この椅子は畳めます。'
Identify the state: 'きれいに畳まれています。'
Listen for the idiom: '店を畳むことにした。'
Identify the number: '三つに畳んでください。'
Listen for the negative: 'まだ畳んでいません。'
Identify the result: '半分に畳みました。'
Listen for the causative: '子供に畳ませた。'
Identify the compound: '折り畳み傘を持っていく。'
Listen for the reason: '忙しくて畳む暇がない。'
Identify the object: '布団を畳みましたか？'
Listen for the suggestion: '一緒に畳みましょう。'
Identify the time: '朝、布団を畳みます。'
Listen for the nuance: '店を畳むのは残念だ。'
Write: 'I am bad at folding clothes.'
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/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'tatamu' represents the Japanese art of compacting space. Whether you are folding a shirt or closing a shop, it implies a neat and intentional conclusion to an expanded state. Example: 洗濯物を畳む (sentakumono o tatamu - folding laundry).
- Tatamu is the primary Japanese verb for folding laundry, blankets, and umbrellas.
- It differs from 'oru' (folding paper/origami) by focusing on flexible, storable items.
- Metaphorically, it means to permanently close a business or wind up an activity.
- It is a Godan verb (Type 1) and is essential for describing daily household chores.
Retail Folding
In Japan, retail folding is very precise. Use 'tatamu' to describe this meticulous process.
Particle Choice
Always use 'o' (を) for the object you are folding.
Futon Care
Remember that 'futon o tatamu' is a mandatory morning chore in traditional rooms.
Umbrella Manners
Folding your umbrella ('kasa o tatamu') before entering a building is a key social rule.
例句
洗濯した服をきちんと畳む。
