Translation guide
How to express 'fold up' in Japanese, covering folding objects, collapsing furniture, and closing businesses.
To bend something flat over itself, like paper, clothes, or a map.
Transitive verb meaning to fold something, typically paper, cloth, or thin objects. Often implies a single fold or crease.
紙を半分に折ってください。
Please fold the paper in half.
To collapse something like a chair, table, or stroller into a compact form for storage or transport.
To close down a business, shop, or operation permanently.
Idiomatic use meaning to close a business. Often used in casual or spoken contexts.
折る (oru) is for a simple fold or crease, often once. 折り畳む (oritatamu) emphasizes folding something into a compact, portable form, often with multiple folds. 畳む (tatamu) is for folding flat items like clothes or futons, and also has the idiomatic meaning of closing a business.
The English 'fold up' for closing a business does not translate to 折る. Use 畳む or other business closure terms.
手紙を折って封筒に入れた。
I folded the letter and put it in an envelope.
Transitive verb meaning to fold something up neatly, often into a compact form. Used for clothes, maps, umbrellas, and foldable items.
地図を折り畳んでカバンに入れた。
I folded up the map and put it in my bag.
洗濯物をきれいに折り畳んでください。
Please fold the laundry neatly.
Transitive verb meaning to fold or close something flat, especially clothes, futons, or umbrellas. Focuses on making something compact for storage.
布団を畳んで押し入れにしまった。
I folded up the futon and put it in the closet.
傘を畳んでください。
Please fold up your umbrella.
Used for folding furniture and equipment. Often appears in compound nouns like 折り畳み椅子 (folding chair).
このテーブルは簡単に折り畳めます。
This table folds up easily.
ベビーカーを折り畳んで車に積んだ。
I folded up the stroller and put it in the car.
Can be used for folding furniture, but 折り畳む is more common for mechanical folding. 畳む is more natural for fabric items.
パイプ椅子を畳んで隅に置いた。
I folded up the folding chairs and put them in the corner.
あの店、先月畳んじゃったんだって。
I heard that shop folded up last month.
不景気で会社を畳むことになった。
We had to fold up the company due to the recession.
General verb for closing a business, but can imply permanent closure in context. More neutral than 畳む.
店を閉めることにしました。
I decided to close up the shop.
Formal term for going out of business or discontinuing a business. Used in official contexts.
長年営業してきたが、今月で廃業することになった。
After many years in business, we will fold up at the end of this month.