Let's talk using the te form! / Japanese Learning Support LLC | blog

Let's try speaking using the te form!

Japanese verbs have many different forms (conjugations).

Today we will introduce how to form the te form and sentence patterns using it.

First, let's learn how to make shapes together!

How to make a 'te' shape

Step 1: Divide the verbs into three groups

Step 2: Start by learning the easy groups 2 and 3.

Step 3: Learn the hand shapes of one group

Step 1: Divide the verbs into three groups

Japanese verbs are divided into three groups.

How many Japanese verbs do you know?

For example, see, eat, read, listen, go, come, sleep, wake up, do, study...

First, let's divide them into groups!

●One group of verbs

For example, I go, I go home, I read, I listen, I swim, I buy...

These are all one group.

To tell the difference, take a look at what comes before the verb "masu" in the example.

The verbs above are in the "masu" form, so they all end with "-masu".

However, if you look at the characters before "masu," they each have a different sound.

I'm going → ki

I'm going home → ri

Read → mi

I will listen → ki

Swim → gi

I will buy → i

Do you notice that each word before "masu" ends with the vowel [i]?

This is the nature of Group 1.

When grouping verbs, look at what comes before "masu."

●Two groups of verbs

Ex.) Eat, sleep, stop, watch, wake up...

These are two groups of verbs.

Let's look at what happens before "masu" again.

Eat → be

I'm going to sleep → ne

I will stop → me

I see → mi

I wake up → ki

In the top three, the vowel before "masu" ends with [e].

This is the characteristic of the two groups.

However, there are also irregular words that end in [i], such as the two below, "mimasu" (see) and "okimasu" (get up), so you will need to memorize these.

Three groups of verbs

Ex.) I will come, I will, I will study...

There are few verbs in group 3. Broadly speaking, there are only two: "kurumasu" (to come) and "shimasu" (to do).

Additionally, verbs that are two-character kanji words with "shimasu" (do you study?) also fall into group 3.

Group 3 is made up of irregular verbs and there are only two types, "kurumasu" (to come) and "shimasu" (to do), so be sure to memorize them!

So, that's all about grouping verbs.

From here, move on to steps 2 and 3.

Step 2: Start by learning the easy groups 2 and 3.

The te form of the verbs in group 2 is easy.

Let me show you an example first.

I will eat → eat

I'm going to sleep → I'm going to sleep

I will see → see

I will wake up → wake up

Did you notice any changes happening?

For verbs in group 2, by removing the "masu" from the "masu" form and adding "te" you get the "te" form.

For example, if you want to say "taberu" (I eat), you take out the " masu " and add "te" to "taberu" to make "tabete."

This is common to all two group verbs.

Now let's do some practice.

What are the "te forms" of the two groups of verbs below?

The answer is written below.

Do you eat it → ?

Go to sleep → ?

Stop → ?

I'll teach you → ?

Shall I call → ?

Would you like to borrow?

Are you tired → ?

Will you add it? → ?

Can you open it → ?

Will you watch it →?

Are you there → ?

answer

Eat, sleep, stop, teach, play, borrow, get tired, turn on, open, watch, stay

Did you get all the answers right?

Next, let's create three groups of hand shapes!

Group 3 verbs are irregular, so there are no set rules.

Please make sure you remember it.

I will come → come

do → do

I will study → I will study

It's easy because you only have to remember "come" and "do."

Let's practice a bit!

Are you coming → ?

Do you → ?

Going for a walk → ?

Shall I clean it → ?

answer

Come, do, walk, clean

Well, does it seem okay so far?

Now let's move on to step 3!

Step 3: Learn the hand shapes of one group

The verbs in group 1 are the most complex.

There's a lot to remember, but if you don't remember now, you'll forget more and more later, so take this opportunity to learn and master it together!

First, I'll show you some examples. The way group 1 verbs change depends on the pronunciation before "masu," so I'll introduce them bit by bit.

I will buy → Buy

I'll wait → Wait

I'm going home → Go home

When "masu" is preceded by "i, chi, ri", it becomes "~tte".

I will drink → drink

I will call you → Call me

When "masu" is preceded by "mi, bi", it becomes "~nde".

I will write → write

Hurry → Hurry

I'm going → I'm going ★

When "ki" is before "masu", it becomes "-ite".

In the case of "gi" as in "I will hurry", it becomes "-ide", meaning "hurry".

Also, the verb "go" is special.

It becomes "go" instead of "go".

I will talk → talk

When "masu" is preceded by "shi", it becomes "~shite".

By the way, although "talk" ends with "do," it is not in three groups.

Verbs in group 3 are verbs that have two kanji characters followed by "shimasu," such as "I will study" and "I will clean."

Now let's practice.

Write it → ?

Shall I talk → ?

Let's play → ?

Shall I go → ?

Will you wait → ?

Would you like to buy it → ?

Should I hurry → ?

Read → ?

answer

Write, talk, play, go, wait, buy, rush, read

Did you get all the questions right?

So, what can we say using the te form? Let's now take a look at a conversation in which the te form grammar appears.

Tanaka came to the hospital because he had a headache.

Tanaka: Hello.

Doctor: Hello, please have a seat .

Tanaka: Yes.

Doctor: How are you today?

Tanaka: I've had a headache since yesterday... and my fever is 38 degrees...

Doctor: I see. Well, please open your mouth so I can take a look inside.

Tanaka: Yes.

Doctor: Your skin is a little red. You may have a cold. I'll give you some medicine.

Tanaka: Thank you.

Doctor: You shouldn't take a bath today.

Tanaka: I understand.

Doctor: Take some medicine and rest for a few days.

Tanaka: Um... my favorite singer has a concert tomorrow. Can I go ?

Doctor: Hmm, a concert? You probably shouldn't go.

Tanaka: Yes, I understand. Thank you very much.

Doctor: Take care.

In the conversation between the doctor and Mr. Tanaka, we saw some grammar using the question form.

Let's study these grammars.

● "Please..."

You can express a request by using the te form of the verb + kudasai.

For example, "Please have a seat" is asking the other person to take the action of "sitting down."

In this case, it is the listener, not the speaker, who "sits."

Doctor (speaker): Please have a seat here.

Tanaka (interviewer): Yes. (sits down)

And more...

"Open your mouth."

"Please get some rest."

"Take your medicine."

"Just grab that piece of paper."

"Please tell me your phone number."

You can make various requests, such as:

● "You must not do something"

The te form + can be used to express prohibition, in the form of 'ikamazen' (not OK).

For example, "Don't take a bath" prohibits the listener from taking the action of taking a bath.

Doctor (speaker): You shouldn't take a bath today.

Tanaka (Interviewer): I understand.

And more...

"You must not take photographs in the museum."

"You must not talk in the library."

"You must not look at your phone during the test."

You can use it like this:

● "May I...?"

The te form + 'i mo i desu ka' is used to ask for permission.

For example, the sentence "May I go to the concert?" is used when the speaker wants the other person to give permission for an action (going to the concert).

Tanaka (speaker): Um... my favorite singer has a concert tomorrow. Can I go?

Doctor (interviewer): Hmm, a concert? You probably shouldn't go.

And more...

"Can I have some sweets?"

"Can I have a drink?"

"May I drive?"

"May I rest?"

You can use it like this:

Also, instead of "Is it okay?" you can use "Is that okay?"

"May I leave my luggage here?"

"May I take a picture?"

Using "yoroshii" will give a more polite impression.

How was it?

Today we talked about how to form the te form and grammar using the te form.

Let's try using the hand gesture to ask for permission or make a request.

That's all for today!

See you in the next blog!