tabete, nonde

te-form

The function of the te-form in Japanese is primarily to act as an adhesive between ‘verb and verb’ and ‘sentence and sentence.’ This form is frequently used in Japanese because combining verbs or sentences often carries specific grammatical meanings, which you will learn about later.

In this lesson, you will learn how to create the te-form from the dictionary form of verbs. The te-form is a type of short form and a special form used within sentences to punctuate or add other functions to verbs. It shares the same conjugation pattern as the ‘ta’-form (short-past affirmative), which we will cover in future lessons.

Short formLong form
Affirmativekakukakimasu
Negativekakanaikakimasen
Past affirmativekaitakakimashita
Past negativekakanakattakakimasendeshita
te-formkaitekakimashite

U-verb

In Japanese, dictionary forms of verbs end with one of the following: “vowel + u”, “tsu”, “ru”, “mu”, “bu”, “nu”, “ku”, “gu”, or “su”. Each type of verb ending changes differently when forming the te-form.

Stems ending with W, TS and R

A(w)u >>> Aw >>> Awte >>> Atte
Katsu >>> Kats >>> Katte
Toru >>> Tor >>> Torte >>> Totte

The sounds “w”, “ts”, and “r” emitted from the stems of Japanese verbs originate from the front part of the mouth. In Japanese, the “r” sound differs from its English or Spanish counterparts, resembling a blend of “l” and “t”. Verbs ending in “w”, “ts”, or “r” change in the te-form by transforming these sounds into “t” and adding “te”.

Stems ending with M, B and N

Kamu >>> Kam >>> Kan >>> Kande
Tobu >>> Tob >>> Tom >>> Ton >>> Tonde
Shinu >>> Shin >>> Sinde (Only one verb which ends with nu)

The stems end with nasal sounds. “m”, “b”, “n” change to “n” and plus “de”.

Stems ending with K and G (く, ぐ)

Kaku >>> Kak >>> Kakte >>> Kaite
Kagu >>> Kag >>> Kagde >>> Kaide
Exc. ( Iku >>> Ikte >>> Itte )

These stems of verbs end with plosive sounds, which are created from the back part of the mouth. Specifically, when forming the te-form of verbs, the sounds “k” and “g” change to “i” followed by “te” and “de”.

Stems ending with S (す)

Hanasu >>> Hanaste >>> Hanasite
Tasu >>> Taste >>> Tashite

Verbs ending with “su” change slightly differently when forming the te-form (て-form) in Japanese. This conjugation pattern was originally used for all U-verbs, but now remains specific to verbs ending with “su”. Other U-verbs used to follow a similar pattern in the past, but this is no longer the case.

IRU/ERU-verb

Taberu >>> Tabe >>> Tabete
Miru >>> Mi >>> Mite
Kieru >>> Kie >>> Kiete

For IRU/ERU-verbs, forming the te-form is straightforward. You simply add “te” after the verb stems.

Exceptional verb

Suru >>> S >>> Shite
Kuru >>> K >>> Kite

There are only two exceptions within this group. The verb “suru”, which serves as a practical verb akin to “to do,” can be used with other nouns or noun-adjectives.

Expressions

Suzuki:
Kinou wa yasumi deshita.

Justin:
Nani o shimashitaka?

Suzuki:
Tabete, nonde, asobimashita.

Justin:
Watashi wa umi ni itte, oyogimashita.
Sonoato wa tsukarete, nemashita.

Words

WordMeaning
yasumiday off
asobuplay, hang out
umisea
oyoguswim
sonoatoafter that
tsukareruget tired
nerusleep

Exercise

Question

Change the verbs to te-form.

  1. matsu
  2. saru
  3. kau (kawu)
  4. fumu
  5. korobu
  6. shinu
  7. kiku
  8. isogu
  9. kasu
  10. kieru
  11. tokeru
  12. suru
  13. kuru

Answer

  1. matte
  2. satte
  3. katte
  4. funde
  5. koronde
  6. shinde
  7. kiite
  8. isoide
  9. kashite
  10. kiete
  11. tokete
  12. shite
  13. kite