When speaking in Japanese, you often need to connect multiple actions in a sentence. Instead of saying, “I went to the store. I bought milk,” you can make the sentence more natural by saying, “I went to the store and bought milk.” In Japanese, this is done using the て-form of verbs.
て-Form
Linking Actions
Usage Pattern
- Ru-Verbs: Drop る and add て
- U-Verbs:
- う, つ, る → Drop the final character and add って
- む, ぶ, ぬ → Drop the final character and add んで
- く → Drop the final character and add いて
- ぐ → Drop the final character and add いで
- す → Drop the final character and add して
- Irregular Verbs:
- する → して
- くる → きて
- 行く → 行って
Details
JLPT Level: N5
How to Use It
The て-form is essential for linking actions in Japanese. When you want to list multiple actions that happen in sequence, you conjugate the first verb into the て-form and follow it with another verb. This structure makes sentences smoother and more natural.
Want A Deeper Explanation?
Example 1
彼女は本を読んで、音楽を聞きました。
かのじょ は ほん を よんで、おんがく を ききました。
Kanojo wa hon o yonde, ongaku o kikimashita..
She read a book and listened to music
Example 2
私はレストランに行って、昼ごはんを食べました。
わたし は れすとらん に いって、ひるごはん を たべました。
Watashi wa resutoran ni itte, hirugohan o tabemashita.
I went to a restaurant and ate lunch.
Example 3
友達と映画を見て、公園を散歩しました。
ともだち と えいが を みて、こうえん を さんぽ しました。
Tomodachi to eiga o mite, kōen o sanpo shimashita.
I watched a movie with my friend and took a walk in the park.