How to Make Te-form and When to Use Te-form

 


How to Make the Te-form (〜テ形)（～テけい）

The te-form changes depending on the verb group.

1. U-verbs (Godan verbs)

U-verbs have several sound change rules based on the final syllable.

Rules:

  • Verbs ending in -u, -tsu, -ru → って(tte)

    • Example: 会う (au, to meet) → 会って (atte)

    • Example: 待つ (matsu, to wait) → 待って (matte)

    • Example: 取る (toru, to take) → 取って (totte)

  • Verbs ending in -mu, -bu, -nu → んで(nde)

    • Example: 飲む (nomu, to drink) → 飲んで (nonde)

    • Example: 遊ぶ (asobu, to play) → 遊んで (asonde)

    • Example: 死ぬ (shinu, to die) → 死んで (shinde)

  • Verbs ending in -ku → いて(ite)

    • Example: 書く (kaku, to write) → 書いて (kaite)
      ⚠️ Exception: 行く (iku, to go) → 行って (itte)

  • Verbs ending in -gu → いで(ide)

    • Example: 泳ぐ (oyogu, to swim) → 泳いで (oyoide)

  • Verbs ending in -su → して(shite)

    • Example: 話す (hanasu, to speak) → 話して (hanashite)


2. Ru-verbs (Ichidan verbs)

Very simple rule:

  • Drop -ru, add -て(te)

    • Example: 食べる (taberu, to eat) → 食べて (tabete)

    • Example: 見る (miru, to see) → 見て (mite)

3. Irregular verbs

  • する(suru) → して(shite)

    • Example: 勉強する (benkyō suru, to study) → 勉強して (benkyō shite)

  • 来る (kuru) → 来て (kite)





When to Use the Te-form

1. Connecting actions (sequences of verbs)

The te-form is like “and” in English when listing actions in order.

Example:
本を読んで、寝ました。(Hon wo yonde, nemashita.)（I read a book and went to sleep.）

2. Making polite requests

〜てください (tekudasai) = “please do …”

Example:
窓を開けてください。(Mado wo akete kudasai.)(Please open the window.)

3. Permission and prohibition

〜てもいい (temoii) = “you may / it’s okay to …” (permission)
〜てはいけません (tewa ikemasen) = “you must not …” (prohibition)

Example:
ここで写真を撮ってもいいです。(Kokode shashin wo tottemo iidesu.) (You may take photos here.)
ここでタバコを吸ってはいけません。(Kokode tabako wo suttewa ikemasen.)（You must not smoke here.)

4. Continuous / progressive action

〜ている (teiru) = ongoing action (like “-ing” in English)

Example:
今、勉強しています。(Ima, benkyō shite imasu.)(I am studying now.)

5. Resulting state

〜ている (teiru) can also describe a state resulting from an action.

Example: 
結婚しています。(Kekkon shite imasu.)(I am married / I have the state of being married).

6. Giving and receiving actions

With くれる(kureru) / あげる(ageru) / もらう(morau), te-form is used to attach the action.

Example: 
友だちが宿題を手伝ってくれました。(Tomodachi ga shukudai wo tetsudatte kuremashita.)(My friend helped me with my homework.)

As for くれる/あげる/もらう, refer to this.

7. Softening commands

Using the te-form alone can sound like a casual command (especially with children, or among close friends).

Example:
ちょっと待って！(Chotto matte!) (Wait a sec!)


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