The Meaning of naosu [直す] In Japanese

直す
なおす
Romaji: naosu N5

What does 直す mean?

Translation and Meaning

to repair, to fix, to mend, to correct, to put right, to restore

Definition

直す means to repair or correct something that is broken or wrong, returning it to its proper state; it covers both tangible objects and abstract corrections and is used across casual and formal speech.

Type

Verb (五段動詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • physical repair or fixing of objects or equipment
  • correction of errors, mistakes, or misstatements
  • straightening or putting something back on track, including plans and procedures
  • restoring a condition or state to proper order

Etymology

Native formation The verb is built from the kanji 直 meaning straight or direct, plus the verb suffix す, yielding a native verb with the sense of making straight, fixing, or putting right; the kun’yomi nao- forms the base for conjugation.

Origin

Old Japanese usage is well-attested in classical literature; the form became widespread in Edo-period speech and remains foundational in modern Japanese.

Composition

直 means straight, direct; す is the verb suffix turning the concept into a verb; together they express the act of making something straight again, which broadens to repairing or putting right.

Usage

Used across casual and formal contexts to repair tangible items or correct information; common in instructions and everyday talk; conjugates with standard forms such as 直します in polite speech and 直して in the te-form; used for both physical repair and correction of errors in texts, data, or plans; not typically used for living beings.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a bent object being snapped back to a straight line; the kanji 直 visually evokes straightness, and adding す turns it into a doing verb meaning to set straight or fix.

Variations

  • 修理する (shūri suru) — repair
  • 訂正する (teisei suru) — correct (a statement or text)
  • 矯正する (kyōsei suru) — rectify or align
  • 壊す (kowasu) — break (antonym)
  • 治す (naosu) — fix or cure (different nuance)

Example Phrases

  • 彼の 見苦しい 態度は 皆が すぐに 直すべき だ
    kare no migurushii taido wa minna ga sugu ni naosu beki da
    Everyone says his unseemly attitude should be fixed soon.
    Lista:
    • 彼の (kare no) – his
    • 見苦しい (migurushii) – unseemly
    • 態度は (taido wa) – attitude (topic)
    • 皆が (minna ga) – everyone
    • すぐに (sugu ni) – right away
    • 直すべき (naosu beki) – should fix
    • だ (da) – is
    見苦しい é um adjetivo i que significa ‘desagradável de se ver’; aqui modifica 「態度」 para formar 「見苦しい態度」.
  • 日頃の行いを見直す良い機会だ。
    higoro no okonai o minaosu yoi kikai da.
    It’s a good opportunity to review daily conduct.
    Lista:
    • 日頃 (higoro) – daily
    • の (no) – of
    • 行い (okonai) – conduct
    • を (o) – (object marker)
    • 見直す (minaosu) – to review
    • 良い (yoi) – good
    • 機会だ (kikai da) – opportunity
    日頃 means ‘daily; usual’; here it forms 「日頃の」 to modify 行い (日頃の行い = daily conduct).
  • 今朝、壊れた時計を 私が 自分で すぐに 直す。
    kesa, kowareta tokei o watashi ga jibun de sugu ni naosu.
    This morning, I will fix the broken watch myself right away.
    Lista:
    • 今朝 (kesa) – this morning
    • 壊れた (kowareta) – broken
    • 時計 (tokei) – watch
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 私 (watashi) – I
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • 自分 (jibun) – myself
    • で (de) – by/with
    • すぐに (sugu ni) – immediately
    • 直す (naosu) – to fix
    Uso do verbo transitivo 「直す」 com o objeto 壊れた時計; 自分で indica ‘por mim mesmo’.
  • 資産を守るために、毎月の貯蓄を見直す。
    Shisan o mamoru tame ni, maitsuki no chochiku o minaosu.
    To protect assets, review monthly savings.
    Lista:
    • 資産 (shisan) – assets
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 守る (mamoru) – to protect
    • ため (tame) – for the purpose of
    • に (ni) – to/for
    • 毎月 (maitsuki) – every month
    • の (no) – genitive
    • 貯蓄 (chochiku) – savings
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 見直す (minaosu) – to review
    Core point: 「資産」 means assets; here it is the object of 守る in a purpose clause.
直す