By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The **て-form** (te-form) is one of the most essential verb forms in Japanese. It is used to connect multiple actions, request things, ask for permission, and more. It is often used as a linking verb form that allows verbs to be strung together to express sequences of actions, reasons, or conditions.
Structure:
- For **Group 1** (Godan verbs): Replace the final う (u) sound with って (tte), いて (ite), or えて (ete), depending on the verb’s ending sound.
- For **Group 2** (Ichidan verbs): Drop the る (ru) and add て (te).
- For **Group 3** (Irregular verbs): する becomes して (shite), くる becomes きて (kite).
Example: 食べる (taberu) → 食べて (tabete) (eat → eat and …)
💡 Example Sentences
- 映画を見て、友達と話した。
I watched a movie and talked to my friend. - 朝ごはんを食べて、学校へ行った。
I ate breakfast and went to school. - 本を読んで、寝た。
I read a book and went to bed. - 公園で遊んで、帰った。
I played at the park and came back. - 宿題をして、テレビを見た。
I did my homework and watched TV.
📝 Grammar Notes
- The **て-form** is used to connect multiple actions or events, especially in sequential actions (e.g., “I did A, and then B”).
- It is often followed by other verbs or auxiliary verbs to create more complex sentences, such as giving reasons (e.g., “Because I was tired, I went to bed.”)
- It is essential in polite requests or commands (e.g., “Please do this,” or “Do this and come.”)
- Common uses of the て-form include expressing reason, request, or permission in daily conversation.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct て-form of the verb:
- 朝ごはんを______、学校へ行きました。
- 宿題を______、テレビを見ました。
- 友達と______、買い物に行きました。
✔ Sample Answers:
- 朝ごはんを食べて、学校へ行きました。
- 宿題をして、テレビを見ました。
- 友達と話して、買い物に行きました。
2. Translate into Japanese using the て-form:
- I finished my homework and went to the park.
- I ate lunch and took a nap.
- I read a book and then watched a movie.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 宿題を終えて、公園に行きました。
- 昼ごはんを食べて、昼寝をしました。
- 本を読んで、その後映画を見ました。
📚 Vocabulary List
- 映画（えいが） – movie
- 食べる（たべる） – to eat
- 宿題（しゅくだい） – homework
- 友達（ともだち） – friend
- 学校（がっこう） – school
- 公園（こうえん） – park
🈷 Kanji List
- 食（たべ） – to eat
- 見（み） – to see
- 宿（しゅく） – homework
- 友（とも） – friend
- 学校（がっこう） – school
- 公（こう） – park
🔗 Related Grammar
- た-form – used to express past actions or states (e.g., “I did” or “I went”).
- ～ながら – expresses doing two actions simultaneously (e.g., “While doing A, I did B”).
- ～たり～たりする – used to list examples of actions (e.g., “I did A and B”).
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: The て-form is used to connect verbs, indicating that one action follows another or to request actions.
- Usage: It is used to link actions in a sequence, request things politely, and give reasons.
- Level: JLPT N5
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
