JLPT N5 grammar · The TE-Form Core
~て: meaning, usage and examples
~て means: (used to join two or more sentences/actions together).
How to form it
＜Verb1-て＞ + ＜Verb2＞ (sequential or simultaneous actions)
Examples
7時におきて、朝ごはんを食べて、学校に行く。
I wake up at 7:00, eat breakfast, and go to school.
シャワーを浴びて、ごはんを食べて、ねます。
I take a shower, eat a meal, and go to sleep.
駅に行って、電車に乗りました。
I went to the station and got on the train.
家に帰って、宿題をしました。
I went home and did my homework.
When to use it
Chain multiple verbs to show sequence ('and then') or manner ('while doing X, do Y').
Nuance
Order of actions matches real-world sequence. The tense of the final verb determines the overall tense.
Compare
〜てから is more explicitly sequential. 〜て can be simultaneous. 〜し lists reasons or qualities.
Tip: The polite/plain register of the whole sentence is set by the final verb, not intermediate て-forms.
More on this in The Japanese te-form.
More in The TE-Form Core
- Verb Group [dictionary-form] Version: Verb groups by dictionary form: Group 1 (-u verbs, including some -iru/-eru verbs such as 帰る and 走る), Group 2 (-iru/-eru verbs such as 食べる and 見る), Group 3 (irregular: する and 来る)
- Verb Group [masu-form] Version: Masu form: Group 1 verbs change the final -u to -i + ます (飲む → 飲みます); Group 2 verbs drop る + ます (食べる → 食べます, 見る → 見ます); する → します, 来る → 来ます
- Plain style [Verb]: (Conjugation for verbs, plain form)
- Polite style [Verb]: (Conjugation for verbs, polite form)
- Verb て形 (Te form): Verb te-form (used for requests, joining actions, etc.)
- ~てください / 〜ないでください: please do... / please don't do...
- ~ています: (1. an action in progress) (2. a resulting condition/state)
- ~てはいけません: must not... (strong prohibition)
- ~てもいいですか: may I [Verb]? (asking for permission)
Frequently asked questions
What does ~て mean?
(used to join two or more sentences/actions together). Example: 7時におきて、朝ごはんを食べて、学校に行く。 (I wake up at 7:00, eat breakfast, and go to school.)
How do you form ~て?
＜Verb1-て＞ + ＜Verb2＞ (sequential or simultaneous actions). The polite/plain register of the whole sentence is set by the final verb, not intermediate て-forms.