The te-form, or what native speakers call て形 transcribed te-kei, a form of a Japanese verb or other predicate that ends in て transcribed te or sometimes で transcribed de. Very broadly, this is a connecting form. Though it can have some other uses, it’s most often used for the first of two connected clauses or in the first of two connected verbs.
In this post, we’ll start by discussing how to create the te-form of verbs, adjectives, and predicate nouns. Then, we’ll talk about how to use this in different sentence structures. Ready to have a look? Let’s dive in!
How to make the te-form in Japanese
As its name suggests, the te-form in Japanese will usually end in て transcribed te, though in some cases the ending will be で transcribed de instead. The exact rules, though, will depend on the type of predicate: verb, adjective, or noun.
Te-form of verbs
Japanese verbs are categorized into three groups based on how they are conjugated: ru-verbs, u-verbs, and irregular verbs. Each group follows a slightly different rule for the te-forms.
Ru-verbs are easy! Just replace the ending る transcribed ru with て transcribed te:
Dictionary Form Te-form English 見るTranscription: miru見てTranscription: mitasee
食べるTranscription: taberu食べてTranscription: tabeteeat
The irregular verbs have the following ta-forms. Notice they still end with て!
Dictionary Form Te-form English 来るTranscription: kuru来てTranscription: kitecome
するTranscription: suruしてTranscription: shitedo
U-verbs are where it gets tricky. Here you’ll still be replacing the final syllable with a “te” ending, but the exact “te” ending you use will depend on the exact ending of the dictionary form. Check out this chart:
* One little exception here: The te-form of the verb 行く transcribed ikumeaning to go is 行って transcribed itte, which keeps it pronouncable! Dictionary
EndingTe-form
EndingExample Dictionary Te-form English うTranscription: uってTranscription: tte言うTranscription: iu言ってTranscription: ittesay
つTranscription: tsu待つTranscription: matsu待ってTranscription: mattewait
るTranscription: ru走るTranscription: hashiru走るTranscription: hashirurun
むTranscription: muんでTranscription: nde読むTranscription: yomu読んでTranscription: yonderead
ぶTranscription: bu遊ぶTranscription: asobu遊んでTranscription: asondeplay
ぬTranscription: nu死ぬTranscription: shinu死んでTranscription: shindedie
すTranscription: suしてTranscription: shite話すTranscription: hanasu話してTranscription: hanashitetalk
くTranscription: kuいて*Transcription: ite書くTranscription: kaku書いてTranscription: kaitewrite
ぐTranscription: guいでTranscription: ide泳ぐTranscription: oyogu泳いでTranscription: oyoideswim
Te-form of adjectives and nouns
When the predicate of a clause is an adjective (e.g. “is big”) or a noun (e.g. “is a student), you may need to use the te-form of one of these words as well. This is quite simple:
Add くて transcribed kute to the stem of an i-adjective.
Add で transcribed de to the stem of a na-adjective or noun.
Here are some examples:
| Word type | Plain form* | Ta-form |
|---|---|---|
i-adjective | 明るい Transcription: akarui Translation: is bright | 明るくて Transcription: akarukute |
na-adjective | にぎやかだ Transcription: nigiyaka da Translation: is lively | にぎやかで Transcription: nigiyakade |
noun | 学生だ Transcription: gakusei da Translation: is a student | 学生で Transcription: gakusei de |
Negative te-forms
Each Japanese verb has two negative te-forms, both of which are formed from the plain negative form of the verb. Here are the rules for creating the two forms:
Form 1: Add で transcribed de to the negative form
Form 2: Replace the final い transcribed i of the negative form with くて transcribed kute
The form you should use will depend on the structure of the sentence you’re trying to form. We’ll talk a bit more about that below, but for now, let’s look at some examples!
| Group | Dictionary | Plain negative | Negative te-form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form 1 | Form 2 | |||
ru-verb | 着る Transcription: kiru Translation: wear | 着ない Transcription: kinai Translation: not wear | 着ないで Transcription: kinaide | 着なくて Transcription: kinakute |
u-verb | 知る Transcription: shiru Translation: get to know | 知らない Transcription: shiranai Translation: not get to know | 知らないで Transcription: shiranaide | 知らなくて Transcription: shiranakute |
Irregular | くる* Transcription: kuru Translation: come | こない Transcription: konai Translation: not come | こないで Transcription: konaide | 知らなくて Transcription: shiranakute |
する Transcription: suru Translation: do | しない Transcription: shinai Translation: not do | しないで Transcription: shinaide | しなくて Transcription: shinakute | |
Other types of predicates (adjectives and nouns) only have one negative form. Here are the rules to follow:
i-adjectives: Replace the final い transcribed i with くなくて transcribed ku nakute
おいしいTranscription: oishiiTranslation: is tastyおいしくなくてTranscription: oishiku nakuteTranslation: is not tastyna-adjectives and nouns: add ではなくて transcribed de wa nakute after the stem.
- にぎやかだTranscription: nigiyaka daTranslation: is livelyにぎやかではなくてTranscription: nigiyaka de wa nakuteTranslation: is not lively
- 学生だTranscription: gakusei daTranslation: is a student学生ではなくてTranscription: gakusei de wa nakuteTranslation: is not a student
Does the te-form have polite or past tense forms?
In general, the te-form doesn’t have polite or tensed forms: only affirmative and negative. This means that the te-form does not show the tense or formality of the sentence. That information will need to come from other predicates that are used alongside the te-form. Read on to find out how!
How to use the te-form to connect clauses?
In Japanese, the te-form is often used to connect two short sentences () together to form a longer, complex sentence. It’s used in many cases where you might use “and” in English, but, as you’ll see, there is not a 100% match between the use of “and” and the use of the te-form!
In a sentence, the te-form goes in a setup clause, which supports the main clause. Here’s the basic structure:
Setup clause + て
(predicate in the te-form)
Main Clause
Here are a few of the situations where you will use this sentence construction:
For a sequence of events → “and then”
When one action explains how another was done → “by verbing”
For an action taken at the same time as another → “while”
For the cause of an outcome → “and so”
For linking parallel predicates → “and”
Let’s go through each of them to see some examples! At the end of the section, we’ll talk about how the te-form can be combined with different particles to achieve even more meanings!
Te-form for “and then”
You can use the te-form when something happens “and then” something else happens. In this construction, the first action or event will be in the te-form, while the second action or event will be in the main clause.
Notice that you don’t need a connecting word like それから transcribed sorekarameaning then. The te-form implies it!
Te-form for “by verbing”
You can also use the te-form in a clause that describes how someone did something, much like you might use a phrase with “by” + verb-ing in English. In this use, both the main action and the te-form must be actions done on purpose by the same person.
Te-form for “while”
You can use the te-form for an action someone does while doing something else. Both the te-form and the other verb must be actions done by the same person, on purpose.
Te-form for “and so”
You can use the te-form for a circumstance that causes or results in some outcome. The te-form can be an intentional action, unintentional event, or just a circumstance. The main clause, though, will generally contain an unintentional reaction to that circumstance.
Notice that in both of the examples above, the second part of the sentence wasn’t under anyone’s control — someone just experienced something. This means the predicate of the main clause will usually be something like:
a like なる transcribed narumeaning to become
an expression that indicates the speaker’s emotional state
Let’s look at some examples where the te-form is not a verb:
- 昨日は忙しくて、昼ごはんを食べる時間がなかった。Transcription: Kinō wa isogashikute, hirugohan o taberu jikan ga nakatta.Translation: I was busy yesterday and (so) I didn’t have time to have lunch.
- 弟はまだ小学生で、難しい漢字が読めません。Transcription: Otōto wa mada shōgakusei de, muzukashii kanji ga yomemasen.Translation: My younger brother is still an elementary school student and (so) he cannot read difficult kanji.
Notice that it’s also possible for the te-form and the main verb to have different .
Remember, the main clause is an uncontrolled outcome. The te-form causes the main clause to happen automatically.
Te-form for “and”
In many situations, you can use the te-form like you might use the word “and” in English: to simply link two parallel elements. The first linked predicate takes the te-form.
- 最近引っ越したマンションは、広くてきれいです。Transcription: Saikin hikkoshita manshon wa hirokute, kirei desu.Translation: The condo I’ve moved into lately is spacious and beautiful.
- うちでは夫が料理を作って、私が後片付けをします。Transcription: Uchi de wa otto ga ryōri o tsukutte, watashi ga atokatazuke o shimasu.Translation: In my household, my husband cooks, and I clean up after the meal.
- 姉は大学生で、私は高校生です。Transcription: Ane wa daigakusei de, watashi wa kōkōsei desu.Translation: My elder sister is a college student, and I’m a high school student.
Importantly, though, the te-form in Japanese is only used to link or complete sentences. This means you can’t always translate “and” using the te-form! For example:
- ✅ Matthew is a student and (is) a baseball player.“student” and “baseball player” are predicates, so you can use the te-form for this “and” in Japanese.
- ✅ Matthew is a student and Lisa is a student.Here, we are linking two complete sentences, so you can use the te-form for this “and.”
- ❌ Matthew and Lisa are both students.“Matthew” and “Lisa” are not predicates, so you cannot use the te-form for this “and.”
- ❌ Matthew ate beans and rice for dinner.“beans” and “rice” are not predicates, so you cannot use the te-form for this “and.”
Go back to the Japanese examples above, and notice how, in each sentence, the te-form is used to link two predicates.
When to use particles after the te-form?
Certain particles can follow the te-form to create further linking meanings. Here are a couple of common examples:
Te-form + も transcribed mo
You can use the te-form before the particle も transcribed mo much like you would use the phrase “even if” in English.
雨が降っても試合はあります。Transcription: Ame ga futte mo shiai wa arimasu.Translation: We’ll have a game even if it rains.Check out our post on expressing contrast in Japanese to learn more about this usage!
Te-form + から transcribed kara
You can use the te-form before the particle から transcribed kara like you might use “after” in English.
食事をしてから出かけましょう。Transcription: Shokuji o shite kara dekakemashō.Translation: Let’s go out after we have dinner.Check out our post on expressing “before” and “after” in Japanese for more examples and other ways to say “after.”
How to use the te-form to make compound verbs
We can also use the te-form of verbs to make various compound verbs. A compound verb is a verb made of two parts, much like you might create two-verb phrases like “is running” or “has caught” in English. In Japanese, they have two parts:
te-form
main verb
helping verb
There are several different 補助動詞 transcribed hojo dōshimeaning helping verbs, in Japanese. Here are the main ones:
Though these are all verbs that can be used independently, when they’re used as helping verbs, their independent meanings become less important. They are there to support the main verb in its te-form and slightly alter how that is interpreted.
It’s a lot like how the English verb “have” can be used to talk about possession, but in the phrase “had bought” it’s really just there to add a layer of meaning to the main verb “buy.”
Different helping verbs impact the meaning of the main verb (te-form) differently. Here, we’ll just briefly introduce each compound verb structure, but we will direct you towards some of our other articles where you can learn more about each one!
いる transcribed iru
The te-form is used before いる to create something called the te-iru form. This form has various meanings, but one of its most classic uses is to indicate that the action continues for some time.
今日はずっと雨が降っています。Transcription: Kyō wa zutto ame ga futte imasu.Translation: It has been raining constantly today.くる transcribed kuru or いく transcribed iku
The the te-form is used before くる transcribed kuru or いく transcribed iku to express change or movement in a certain direction.
今日はずっと雨がなってきましたね。Transcription: Konogoro samuku natte kimashita ne.Translation: It has been getting colder lately, isn’t it?みる transcribed miru
The te-form used before みる transcribed miru to express that someone tried something out, to see what it was like. Be careful, though! This isn’t used to mean “attempt to…,” only for cases where you’re sampling something.
弟が作った料理を 一口食べてみた。Transcription: Otōto ga tsukutta ryōri o hitokuchi tabete mita.Translation: I tried (eating) a bite of the dish my younger brother made.This means you tasted it to see how it tasted, not that you attempted to eat a bite.くれる transcribed kureru, あげる transcribed ageru, and もらう transcribed morau
We use the te-form before くれる transcribed kureru, あげる transcribed ageru, or もらう transcribed morau in cases where someone does a favor or receives a favor. The different helping verbs carry slightly different implications.
友達がラーメンをおごってくれた。Transcription: Tomodachi ga rāmen o ogotte kureta.Translation: My friend (did me a favor and) treated me to ramen.ください transcribed kudasai
The te-form is used before ください transcribed kudasai when you’re making a request that someone do something.
あっ、ちょっと待ってください。Transcription: A, chotto matte kudasai.Translation: Oh, please wait a second.When you’re asking someone not to do something, make sure to use the 〜ないで ending for the te-form, as below!
この部屋には入らないでください。Transcription: Kono heya ni wa hairanaide kudasai.Translation: Please do not enter this room.
Te-form with other “helping” expressions
The te-form can also be combined with a few “helping” expressions that are not verbs. Here are a few examples of helping expreessions that are used with te-forms.
ほしい transcribed hoshii
We use a te-form before the adjective ほしい transcribed hoshii when expressing a desire you have for someone else. For example:
子供たちにはのびのび育ってほしい。Transcription: Kodomotachi ni wa nobinobi sodatte hoshii.Translation: I want my children to grow up carefree.もいい transcribed mo ii
Use the expression もいい transcribed mo ii after the te-form to express that someone “may” or “can” do something.
おやつを食べてもいいけど。Transcription: Oyatsu o tabete mo ii kedo.Translation: You can eat some snacks.はいけない transcribed wa ikenai
We use the expression はいけない transcribed wa ikenai after the te-form to prohibit someone from doing something.
おやつを食べてもいいけど、食べすぎてはいけないよ。Transcription: Oyatsu o tabete mo ii kedo, tabesugite wa ikenai yo.Translation: You can eat some snacks, but you must not eat too much.
To sum up
In this post, we discussed how to form and use the te-form in Japanese. The charts below summarize the most important points:
| Te-form endings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Word Type | Affirmative te-form | Negative te-form |
ru-verb | 〜て |
|
u-verb | various | |
i-adjective | 〜くて | 〜くなくて |
na adjective | 〜で | 〜ではなくて |
noun | ||
| Main uses of the te-form | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Functions | Two subjects allowed? | Negative te-form | Polite te-forms? |
X, then Y | Sequence of events | Yes | ❌ | ❓ |
Y by X-ing | Method or manner | No | 〜ないで only | ❌ |
Y while X | Attendant circumstances | No | 〜ないで only | ❌ |
X, and so Y | Cause or reason for event | Yes | 〜なくて preferred | ✅ |
X and Y | Parallel actions or states | Yes |
| ✅ |
Now, practice what you read using our Japanese te-form activities! Happy learning!
