て（接続）
And/then
The て form acts as a grammatical hook to connect clauses. It can mean 'and then' (sequence), 'because' (reason), or 'by means of' (method). The final verb in the sentence determines the overall tense.
How It Works
The conjunctive て form is one of the most versatile tools in Japanese. It serves four primary functions:
- Sequential Actions: Listing things in the order they happen. 'I did A, and then B.'
- Cause and Reason: Explaining why something happened. 'Because of A, B occurred.' Note: The second clause must be a natural result or feeling; it cannot be a command, request, or invitation.
- Manner or Method: Describing how an action is performed. 'I did B by doing A.'
- Ancillary States: Describing a state that exists while doing another action. 'I went out wearing a hat.'
Conjugation Rules:
The form changes based on the verb group:
- Group 1 (Godan): Ends in う・つ・る → って; ぬ・ぶ・む → んで; く → いて (Exception: 行く → 行って); ぐ → いで; す → して.
- Group 2 (Ichidan): Drop る and add て (e.g., 食べる → 食べて).
- Irregular: する → して; 来る → 来て.
- Adjectives: い-adjectives change to くて; な-adjectives and nouns add で.
Examples (5)
- 朝起きて、顔を洗いました。
I woke up in the morning and washed my face.
Word by Word: Morning wake up (and), face (object) washed.
This shows a clear sequence of actions using the て form of 起きる（おきる）.
- 道が混んでいて、遅れました。
The road was crowded, so I was late.
Word by Word: Road (subject) crowded being, was late.
Here, the て form indicates the reason for being late.
- 傘を持って出かけます。
I will go out carrying an umbrella.
Word by Word: Umbrella (object) hold (and) go out.
This demonstrates the 'manner' or 'state' function; the person is in the state of holding an umbrella while going out.
- この料理は安くて、おいしいです。
This food is cheap and delicious.
Word by Word: This food (topic) cheap (and), delicious is.
This shows how い-adjectives use the くて form to connect descriptions.
- 彼は親切で、いい人です。
He is kind and a good person.
Word by Word: He (topic) kind (and), good person is.
For な-adjectives, the conjunctive form is で.
Common Mistakes
Trying to put the first verb in the past tense.
朝起きたで、コーヒーを飲みました。朝起きて、コーヒーを飲みました。The て form itself does not have tense. The tense is only marked on the final verb of the sentence.
Incorrectly conjugating the verb 行く（いく）.
学校にいいて、勉強しました。学校にいって、勉強しました。The verb 行く（いく） is an exception. Even though it ends in く, it becomes 行って（いって）, not いいて.
Using the 'Cause and Reason' function with a request or command.
危なくて、行かないでください。危ないから、行かないでください。When using the て form to show a reason, the following clause cannot be a request, command, or invitation. In those cases, use から instead.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'て' as a conjunction to connect actions (like 'eat and then go'), you must first know how to conjugate verbs into the 'て form'. This requires an understanding of Japanese verb groups and basic sentence structure to ensure the sequence of actions is grammatically correct.
- て形Te-form
The 'て (conjunction)' pattern is the primary functional use of the 'て form' of verbs to link multiple actions in a sequence.
Level 2 - Basic sentence structure
Knowledge of basic sentence structure is necessary to understand how multiple clauses are combined into a single cohesive sentence.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- そしてAnd Then
A conjunction used to start a new sentence with 'And then', whereas the て form connects clauses within one sentence.
Level 1 - たり〜たりするDo Things Like
Used for listing actions in no particular order, unlike the て form which often implies a sequence.
Level 2 - ながらWhile Doing
Used specifically for two actions happening at the exact same time (multitasking).
Level 2 - のでBecause (Soft)
A more explicit way to express 'because' when the reason needs to be emphasized.
Level 2 - Written Continuative
The formal/literary alternative to the て form used in essays and news.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice て（接続） in Bubblegum
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