Japanese Grammar

The Ultimate Guide to Te-Form (て形)

The Te-form is the most important verb conjugation in beginner Japanese. It connects sentences, makes requests, and forms the foundation for JLPT N4 grammar.

What is the Te-Form?

If the dictionary form is the 'name' of a verb, the Te-form is the 'connector'. By itself, the Te-form doesn't indicate tense (past or present). Instead, it acts like a bridge, allowing you to connect multiple verbs or add auxiliary verbs to create complex meanings.

For example, you use the Te-form to say 'Please do...' (~te kudasai), 'I am doing...' (~te iru), or to list actions like 'I woke up, ate, and went to school.'

Learning the Te-form conjugation rules is a major milestone. Once you master it, you unlock dozens of new grammar patterns essential for daily conversation and the JLPT.

Conjugation Rules

Group 1 (U-verbs)
う (u) / つ (tsu) / る (ru)
→って (tte)
Drop the ending, add tte
む (mu) / ぶ (bu) / ぬ (nu)
→んで (nde)
Drop the ending, add nde
く (ku)
→いて (ite)
Drop the ending, add ite (Exception: 行く iku → 行って itte)
ぐ (gu)
→いで (ide)
Drop the ending, add ide
す (su)
→して (shite)
Drop the ending, add shite
Group 2 (Ru-verbs)
食べる (tabe-ru)
→食べて (tabe-te)
Drop -ru, add -te
見る (mi-ru)
→見て (mi-te)
Drop -ru, add -te
Group 3 (Irregular)
する (suru)
→して (shite)
To do
くる (kuru)
→きて (kite)
To come

Example Sentences

ちょっと 待って ください。
Chotto matte kudasai.
Please wait a moment.
今、日本語を 勉強して います。
Ima, nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.
I am studying Japanese now.
起きて、朝ごはんを 食べて、学校へ 行きます。
Okite, asagohan o tabete, gakkō e ikimasu.
I wake up, eat breakfast, and go to school.

Notes for Students by Language Background

Vietnamese Learners

The connective function of the Te-form is very similar to the word 'rồi' in Vietnamese. When linking sequential actions, 'A-te B' translates naturally to 'A rồi B'. This makes the concept quick to grasp for Vietnamese speakers!

Indonesian Learners

Indonesian verbs do not conjugate based on endings, which makes the Te-form confusing at first. The secret is to carefully categorize verbs into Group 1, 2, and 3. Don't try to memorize without understanding the groups.

Mongolian Learners

Mongolian is an agglutinative language with verb conjugations, so the concept of changing a verb's ending to connect sentences will feel very natural to you. Just focus on memorizing the sound changes in Group 1.

JLPT Exam Patterns

  • •〜てください (~te kudasai) - Requesting someone to do something (N5)
  • •〜ています (~te imasu) - Ongoing action / State of being (N5)
  • •〜てもいいですか (~te mo ii desu ka) - Asking for permission (N5)
  • •〜てはいけません (~te wa ikemasen) - Prohibition (N5)
  • •〜てから (~te kara) - After doing something (N5)

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