畳みます（たたみます、taたmimasu）
- to fold

The Japanese word 畳みます畳みます (たためます) means "to fold" or "to close." It's a versatile verb used for folding various items, from clothes to paper, and even for closing things like umbrellas or maps. The action involves bringing parts of something together, often making it smaller or more compact. The specific meaning slightly varies depending on the context.

⚫︎シャツを畳みます Translation: I will fold the shirt. ⚫︎傘を畳みます Translation: I will close the umbrella. ⚫︎紙を半分に畳みます Translation: I will fold the paper in half.

This word is used in everyday conversation and in more formal settings, depending on the politeness level of the verb conjugation. You can use it when talking about organizing, packing, or preparing things. Remember to adjust the verb form according to the situation and your relationship with the person you're speaking to.

⚫︎The word is typically written in hiragana as たたみます. ⚫︎The kanji form is 畳みます畳みます. ⚫︎The okurigana (hiragana following the kanji) is ます. ⚫︎Other forms of the word include the plain form 畳む, the te-form 畳んで, the potential form 畳める and the passive form 畳まれる.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 畳みます because the action of folding is quite specific. However, depending on the context, you might consider: ⚫︎ 折ります (orimasu) - to fold (paper, etc.) ⚫︎ しまいます (shimaimasu) - to put away or store (can imply folding items to put them away). ⚫︎ たたむ - same meaning as 畳みます畳みます but is in dictionary form.

⚫︎ The direct antonym is not easy to define since there isn't one single word that means "to unfold". The opposite action depends on the item being folded. For example: ⚫︎ For clothing: 広げます (hiro-gemasu) - to spread out or unfold. ⚫︎ For paper: 開きます (hirakimasu) - to open, unfold.

洗濯物を畳みます。 ・Translation: I will fold the laundry. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the action of folding clothes after they have been washed and dried.

旅行の前に、スーツケースに服を畳みます。 ・Translation: Before the trip, I will fold the clothes in my suitcase. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the speaker is preparing for a trip by folding clothes to pack them.

The etymology of 畳みます comes from the verb 畳む. 畳む is thought to have originally described the action of folding up tatami mats (traditional Japanese floor coverings) which were often moved or stored away. It then extended to the action of folding other items.