Basu o orite, chikatetsu ni norimasu
Functions of て-form
The functions of the te-form in Japanese primarily serve two main purposes. One is as a punctuation device, and the other is as an auxiliary verb. In this context, you will learn about its function as a punctuation device.
…te, … (punctuation)
In English, the te-form in Japanese is equivalent to using connectors like “and”, “then”, “after”, and similar words. It serves a dual purpose: first, it indicates a sequence of actions where the segment before the te-form represents an action completed before the subsequent action. For example, “katte taberu” translates to “buy and eat”, signifying the sequence of buying first and then eating.
Secondly, the te-form can express the means or reasons for performing the action that follows. In this usage, the segment before the te-form specifies how or why the action after it is carried out. For instance, “mainichi benkyou shite seiseki o agemashita” translates to “I studied every day and improved my grades”, where “studying every day” serves as the means or method leading to the improvement of grades.
Series of actions
When using the te-form, the action expressed before the te-form is completed before the action that follows. This sequential order of actions is straightforward and follows the stated order in sentences.
basu o orite, chikatetsu ni norimasu
fuku o kite, dekakemasu
ie ni kaette, benkyou shimasu
eki made aruite, sonoato densha ni norimashita
Means and reasons for actions
When using the te-form, the action expressed before the te-form functions as the means or method for the action that follows. While the actions may occur simultaneously, the te-form indicates two sequential actions or steps.
aruite kaisha ni ikimasu
boushi o kabutte sanpo shimasu
jisho o tsukatte benkyou shimasu
megane o kakete hon o yomimasu
tomodachi to asonde tanoshikattadesu
Word
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| basu o oriru | get off bus |
| chikatetsu ni noru | get on metro |
| fuku o kiru | wear clothes |
| dekakeru | go out |
| ie ni kaeru | go home |
| uwasa o kiku | hear a rumor |
| odoroku | get surprised |
| aruku | walk |
| boushi o kaburu | put a cap on |
| sanpo suru | go for a walk |
| jisho o tsukau | use a dictionary |
| megane o kakeru | put glasses on |
| asobi | hang out |
| tanoshii | enjoyable |
Expression
Karee no tsukurikata (how to make curry)
Yasai o kitte, niku to isshoni itamemasu. Sonoato, mizu o irete, nikomimasu. Karee no ruu o irete, sukoshi nikonde dekiagaridesu.
Shibuya kara koukyo e no ikikata (how to get to imperial palace from Shibuya)
Shibuya kara ginzasen ni notte, akasakamitsuke de marunouchisen ni norikaemasu. Toukyou eki de orite, aruite koukyo made ikimasu.
Exercise
Question
- I wear clothes, then put a cap on.
- After doing homework, I watch movies. (homework=shukudai, watch movie = eiga o miru)
- It was good to try. (I tried and it was good.) (try = tamesu)
Answer
- Fuku o kite, boushi o kaburimasu.
- Shukudai o shite, eiga o mimasu.
- Tameshite, yokattadesu.