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The て-form of a verb, adjective, and noun is one of the most versatile tools in Japanese grammar. It serves as a connector that links multiple actions, events, or states within a sentence. This usage makes conversations and descriptions more natural, eliminating the need to break sentences into smaller parts.
The て-form is crucial for creating a smooth flow between ideas, enabling you to describe a sequence of actions, simultaneous events, or connected states effortlessly. Its flexibility allows it to function in casual, polite, and formal contexts.
Conjugation Example:
・Group 1 verbs (u-verbs): 飲む → 飲んで (drink and...)
・Group 2 verbs (ru-verbs): 見る → 見て (see and...)
・Irregular verbs: する → して (do and...); 来る → 来て (come and...)
・い-adjectives: 忙しい → 忙しくて (busy and...)
・な-adjectives/nouns: 静か (quiet) → 静かで (quiet and...)
Structure
［る¹］Verb → 見る + て
［る⁵］Verb → 座る + って
［う］Verb → 歌う + って
［つ］Verb → 打つ + って
［く］Verb → 歩く + いて
［ぐ］Verb → 泳ぐ + いで
［ぬ］Verb → 死ぬ + んで
［ぶ］Verb → 飛ぶ + んで
［む］Verb → 休む + んで
［す］Verb → 話す + して
Irregular:
行く → 行って
来る → 来て
する → して
JLPT Level
N5
Key uses
1. Linking actions in a sequence
The て-form is commonly used to connect multiple actions that occur one after another in a sequence, creating smooth, natural sentences.
[ Additional Insight ]
This usage simplifies storytelling or describing routines, as it allows you to link several actions without repeating subjects or conjunctions. It’s a fundamental aspect of Japanese sentence flow, making conversations and writing more concise and fluid.
2. Expressing simultaneous events or states
The て-form is also used to describe two actions or states happening simultaneously, emphasizing that both occur at the same time.
[ Additional Insight ]
This conveys multitasking or co-occurring states effectively, often adding depth to descriptions. In casual conversation, it’s a versatile way to provide more detail without overloading the sentence structure.
3. Linking adjectives or descriptive states
The て-form can connect multiple adjectives or descriptive phrases, showing that several qualities apply simultaneously.
[ Additional Insight ]
This makes descriptions more dynamic by combining multiple traits into a single, cohesive sentence. It’s an essential tool for painting a clearer picture of people, things, or situations, particularly when emphasizing their positive or negative characteristics.
Comparisons
1. てから
The て-form and てから both connect actions, but their nuances differ. てから explicitly emphasizes the sequence of actions, meaning "after doing X, do Y." In contrast, the て-form simply links actions without highlighting the order. Use てから when the timing or order is essential to the context.
2. と / そして (simple conjugations)
The て-form feels more fluid and natural in everyday Japanese compared to conjunctions like と or そして, which can sound rigid or overly formal, especially in casual contexts. そして is often used for storytelling or written language but less commonly in spontaneous conversation.
Examples
002A
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