{"id":107348,"date":"2022-12-02T02:40:10","date_gmt":"2022-12-02T07:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/japanese-te-form\/"},"modified":"2025-02-25T03:33:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T08:33:43","slug":"japanese-te-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/japanese-te-form\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Te Form: The Complete Guide to Its Conjugations and 11 Usages"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’ve been learning Japanese for any length of time, you’ve probably stumbled across the Japanese te<\/em> form.<\/p>\n

It’s a tiny but extremely multifaceted word.<\/p>\n

Basically, it’s a verb and adjective conjugation you can use to politely make requests, link sentences together, say that an action is happening at the present moment (-ing<\/em>) and more.<\/p>\n

In this blog post, you’ll learn 11 usages of the Japanese te<\/em> form and how to correctly conjugate it.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How to Conjugate the Japanese Te<\/em> Form<\/h2>\n

The \u3066 form takes the dictionary form of the Japanese verb and substitutes the ending \u308b syllable with \u3066.\u00a0<\/strong>For instance:<\/p>\n

\u98df\u3079\u308b<\/strong> (\u305f\u3079\u308b) \u2192 \u98df\u3079\u3066<\/strong> (\u305f\u3079\u3066)<\/p>\n

\u898b\u308b<\/strong> (\u307f\u308b) \u2192 \u898b\u3066<\/strong> (\u307f\u3066)<\/p>\n

Simple, right?<\/p>\n

However, not all dictionary forms end in \u308b. Here’s a breakdown of how other verbs convert to the \u3066 form:<\/p>\n

Verbs ending in \u3059 have their final syllable replaced with \u3057\u3066:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u308f\u304b\u308a\u307e\u3059<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192 \u308f\u304b\u308a\u307e\u3057\u3066<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u8a71\u3059<\/strong> (\u306f\u306a\u3059) \u2192 \u8a71\u3057\u3066<\/strong> (\u306f\u306a\u3057\u3066)<\/p>\n

Verbs ending in \u304f have their final syllable end in \u3044\u3066:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u66f8\u304f<\/strong> (\u304b\u304f) \u2192 \u66f8\u3044\u3066<\/strong> (\u304b\u3044\u3066)<\/p>\n

\u713c\u304f<\/strong> (\u3084\u304f) \u2192 \u713c\u3044\u3066<\/strong> (\u3084\u3044\u3066)<\/p>\n

Verbs ending in \u3046, \u308b or \u3064 have their final syllable end in \u3063\u3066:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u4f7f\u3046<\/strong> (\u3064\u304b\u3046) \u2192 \u4f7f\u3063\u3066<\/strong> (\u3064\u304b\u3063\u3066)<\/p>\n

\u4e57\u308b<\/strong> (\u306e\u308b) \u2192 \u4e57\u3063\u3066<\/strong> (\u306e\u3063\u3066)<\/p>\n

\u5f85\u3064<\/strong> (\u307e\u3064) \u2192 \u5f85\u3063\u3066<\/strong> (\u307e\u3063\u3066)<\/p>\n

Some versions of the \u3066 form will end with \u3093\u3067 or \u3044\u3067. Verbs ending in \u3080, \u3076 and \u306c have their final syllable replaced with \u3093\u3067.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u8aad\u3080<\/strong> (\u3088\u3080) \u2192 \u8aad\u3093\u3067<\/strong> (\u3088\u3093\u3067)<\/p>\n

\u904a\u3076<\/strong> (\u3042\u305d\u3076) \u2192 \u904a\u3093\u3067<\/strong> (\u3042\u305d\u3093\u3067)<\/p>\n

\u6b7b\u306c<\/strong> (\u3057\u306c) \u2192 \u6b7b\u3093\u3067<\/strong> (\u3057\u3093\u3067)<\/p>\n

(Note that \u6b7b\u306c is the only common modern Japanese verb that ends with \u306c, so you won\u2019t really come across this last example much, if at all.)<\/p>\n

Verbs ending in \u3050 have their final syllable replaced with \u3044\u3067.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u6cf3\u3050<\/strong> (\u304a\u3088\u3050) \u2192 \u6cf3\u3044\u3067<\/strong> (\u304a\u3088\u3044\u3067)<\/p>\n

\u55c5\u3050<\/strong> (\u304b\u3050) \u2192 \u55c5\u3044\u3067<\/strong> (\u304b\u3044\u3067)<\/p>\n

Still with me? Great!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that difficult once you remember which versions of the \u3066 form go with which dictionary form endings. Mind you, there are still irregular verbs<\/a> to contend with.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are only three:<\/p>\n

\u3059\u308b \u2192 \u3057\u3066<\/p>\n

\u6765\u308b (\u304f\u308b) \u2192 \u6765\u3066 (\u304d\u3066)<\/p>\n

\u884c\u304f (\u3044\u304f) \u2192 \u884c\u3063\u3066 (\u3044\u3063\u3066)<\/p>\n

Despite being labeled \u201cirregular,\u201d these are such common Japanese verbs that I doubt\u00a0you\u2019ll have trouble remembering them.<\/p>\n

How to Use the Japanese Te<\/em> Form<\/h2>\n

Now that we\u2019ve handily covered how to express the \u3066 form of a Japanese verb, the next thing to learn is how and when to use it.<\/p>\n

1. To ask someone to do something<\/h3>\n

The most recognizable usage for beginning students is when someone’s asking someone else to do something, and it\u2019s followed by \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044:<\/p>\n

\u5f85\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002
\n(\u307e\u3063\u3066<\/strong> \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002)
\nPlease wait.<\/p>\n

\u52a9\u3051\u3066<\/strong>\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002
\n(\u305f\u3059\u3051\u3066<\/strong> \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002)
\nPlease help.<\/p>\n

\u8aad\u3093\u3067<\/strong>\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002
\n(\u3088\u3093\u3067<\/strong> \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002)
\nPlease read.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t always need to use \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 at the end if you\u2019re being less formal. Likewise, don\u2019t mistake \u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 for the word \u201cplease\u201d as it only comes at the end of sentences.<\/p>\n

2. To link two phrases<\/h3>\n

When building a complex sentence, you usually need to link two phrases. This is another popular use for the \u3066 form.<\/p>\n

One you’ve probably heard on a Japanese TV show would be someone announcing that they were leaving, but with the intention of returning, as in \u201c\u884c\u3063\u3066\u304d\u307e\u3059\uff01(\u3044\u3063\u3066\u304d\u307e\u3059\uff01)” \u2014 “I’m leaving!”<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Other examples would be:<\/p>\n

\u672c\u3092\u8cb7\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u5bb6\u306b\u5e30\u308b\u3002
\n(\u307b\u3093\u3092 \u304b\u3063\u3066<\/strong> \u3044\u3048\u306b \u304b\u3048\u308b\u3002)
\nBuy the book and go home.<\/p>\n

\u5730\u56f3\u3092\u8aad\u3093\u3067<\/strong>\u305d\u3053\u306b\u884c\u304f\u3002
\n(\u3061\u305a\u3092 \u3088\u3093\u3067<\/strong> \u305d\u3053\u306b \u3044\u304f\u3002)
\nRead the map and go there.<\/p>\n

3. To ask permission to do something<\/h3>\n

This is another usage that may be familiar to beginning students who’ve had exposure to conversational examples found in popular anime or dramas. It\u2019s the way Japanese speakers may express a desire<\/a> or ask for permission.<\/p>\n

\u3053\u308c\u3092\u98df\u3079\u3066<\/strong>\u3082\u3044\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f
\n(\u3053\u308c\u3092 \u305f\u3079\u3066<\/strong>\u3082 \u3044\u3044 \u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f)
\nCan I eat this?<\/p>\n

\u3053\u306e\u672c\u3092\u8aad\u3093\u3067<\/strong>\u3082\u3044\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f
\n(\u3053\u306e \u307b\u3093\u3092 \u3088\u3093\u3067<\/strong>\u3082 \u3044\u3044 \u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f)
\nMay I read this book?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not uncommon to have the \u3067\u3059\u304b portion dropped in informal Japanese if the meaning is understood contextually.<\/p>\n

4. To say “even if…”<\/h3>\n

Sometimes, you\u2019ll need to express the concept that even if one thing happens, something else won’t. Usually, the context is that the outcome is the opposite of what’s expected. Here’s how you’d say that:<\/p>\n

\u5197\u8ac7\u3092\u8a00\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u3082\u3001\u5f7c\u306f\u7b11\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002
\n(\u3058\u3087\u3046\u3060\u3093\u3092 \u3044\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u3082\u3001\u304b\u308c\u306f \u308f\u3089\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002)
\nEven if you tell a joke, he won\u2019t laugh.<\/p>\n

\u305f\u304f\u3055\u3093\u98df\u3079\u3066<\/strong>\u3082\u3001\u592a\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002
\n(\u305f\u304f\u3055\u3093 \u305f\u3079\u3066<\/strong>\u3082\u3001\u3075\u3068\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002)
\nEven if I eat a lot, I won\u2019t get fat.<\/p>\n

5. To express that something is forbidden<\/h3>\n

When trying to state that something isn’t possible or allowed, you’d pair the \u3066 form of the verb with \u306f \u3044\u3051\u307e\u305b\u3093 or, if being more casual, \u306f \u3044\u3051\u306a\u3044.<\/p>\n

Saying that something \u201cwon\u2019t go\u201d in Japanese is similar to the English phrase \u201cthat doesn\u2019t fly,\u201d indicating that something isn\u2019t allowed or acceptable.<\/p>\n

\u3053\u308c\u3092\u98df\u3079\u3066<\/strong>\u306f\u3044\u3051\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002
\n(\u3053\u308c\u3092 \u305f\u3079\u3066<\/strong>\u306f \u3044\u3051\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002)
\nDon’t eat this.<\/p>\n

\u305d\u306e\u672c\u3092\u8aad\u3093\u3067<\/strong>\u306f\u3044\u3051\u306a\u3044\u3002
\n(\u305d\u306e \u307b\u3093\u3092 \u3088\u3093\u3067<\/strong>\u306f \u3044\u3051\u306a\u3044\u3002)
\nDon\u2019t read that book. (Casual)<\/p>\n

6. To express regret<\/h3>\n

Placed before the word \u3057\u307e\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f, the Japanese \u3066\u00a0<\/em>form can express that something happened that you didn’t intend or have regrets about.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s related to the common exclamation \u3057\u307e\u3063\u305f\uff01 that you might hear in some television shows or movies\u2014often translated as \u201cDarn it!\u201d in English.<\/p>\n

While you can use \u3066 \u3057\u307e\u3063\u305f in less formal settings, the \u3066 \u3057\u307e\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f usage is more appropriate for polite company.<\/p>\n

\u30c6\u30ec\u30d3\u3092\u8cb7\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u3057\u307e\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002
\n(\u3066\u308c\u3073\u3092 \u304b\u3063\u3066<\/strong> \u3057\u307e\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002)
\nI didn\u2019t mean to buy that TV.<\/p>\n

\u9375\u304c\u58ca\u308c\u3066<\/strong>\u3057\u307e\u3063\u305f\u3002
\n(\u304b\u304e\u304c \u3053\u308f\u308c\u3066<\/strong> \u3057\u307e\u3063\u305f\u3002)
\nThe key is broken. (Informal)<\/p>\n

7. To say what you’re sorry for<\/h3>\n

When you make an error or do something you regret, you’d often say \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 (Sorry!). If you want to be specific about what it is you’re apologizing for<\/a>, you’d state that using the \u3066 form.<\/p>\n

\u9375\u3092\u58ca\u3057\u3066<\/strong>\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002
\n(\u304b\u304e\u3092 \u3053\u308f\u3057\u3066<\/strong> \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002)
\nI\u2019m sorry I broke the key.<\/p>\n

\u30c6\u30ec\u30d3\u3092\u843d\u3068\u3057\u3066<\/strong>\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002
\n(\u3066\u308c\u3073\u3092 \u304a\u3068\u3057\u3066<\/strong> \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002)
\nI\u2019m sorry I dropped the television.<\/p>\n

8. To express willingness to try<\/h3>\n

By placing \u307f\u307e\u3059 after the \u3066 form, you can say that you\u2019re willing to try something.<\/p>\n

Note that when using this form of the verb \u898b\u308b (\u307f\u308b) \u2014 to watch or see, you don’t write it out with the kanji. Only use the hiragana.<\/p>\n

\u3053\u308c\u3092\u98df\u3079\u3066<\/strong>\u307f\u307e\u3059\u3002
\n(\u3053\u308c\u3092 \u305f\u3079\u3066<\/strong> \u307f\u307e\u3059\u3002)
\nI\u2019ll try to eat this.<\/p>\n

\u672c\u3092\u66f8\u3044\u3066<\/strong>\u307f\u307e\u3059\u3002
\n(\u307b\u3093\u3092 \u304b\u3044\u3066<\/strong> \u307f\u307e\u3059\u3002)
\nI intend to write a book.<\/p>\n

9. To express giving and receiving<\/h3>\n

In Japanese, there are two ways to express the act of giving.<\/p>\n

When you’re giving something to someone else or doing them a favor, you’d use \u3042\u3052\u308b.<\/p>\n

If something is being given to you, you’d use \u304f\u308c\u308b.<\/p>\n

\u541b\u306b\u672c\u3092\u8cb7\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u3042\u3052\u307e\u3059\u3002
\n(\u304d\u307f\u306b \u307b\u3093\u3092 \u304b\u3063\u3066<\/strong> \u3042\u3052\u307e\u3059\u3002)
\nI’ll buy you a book.<\/p>\n

\u59b9\u306f\u79c1\u306b\u30d7\u30ec\u30bc\u30f3\u30c8\u3092\u8cb7\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u304f\u308c\u305f\u3002
\n(\u3044\u3082\u3046\u3068\u306f \u308f\u305f\u3057\u306b \u3077\u308c\u305c\u3093\u3068\u3092 \u304b\u3063\u3066<\/strong> \u304f\u308c\u305f\u3002)
\nMy sister bought me a present.<\/p>\n

10. To describe one action, then another as a result<\/h3>\n

When you\u2019re doing one thing and then doing another, you can connect the sentences with the \u3066 form.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, you insert \u304b\u3089 (after, since) in between if you feel it needs to be specified, but you can often leave it out if the context is already clear.<\/p>\n

\u5148\u751f\u3092\u624b\u4f1d\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u304b\u3089\u3001\u5bb6\u306b\u5e30\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002
\n(\u305b\u3093\u305b\u3044\u3092 \u3066\u3064\u3060\u3063\u3066<\/strong>\u304b\u3089\u3001\u3044\u3048\u306b \u304b\u3048\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002)
\nAfter helping the teacher, I came home.<\/p>\n

\u6797\u6a8e\u3092\u8cb7\u3063\u3066\u3001<\/strong>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002
\n(\u308a\u3093\u3054\u3092 \u304b\u3063\u3066\u3001<\/strong>\u305f\u3079\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002)
\nI bought an apple and ate it.<\/p>\n

11. To express an ongoing action or a current state of being<\/h3>\n

To say that you\u2019re currently doing something, you can connect the \u3066 form with the verb \u3044\u307e\u3059 (to be).<\/p>\n

This is the Japanese equivalent of the English ending\u00a0-ing<\/em>.<\/p>\n

You use this when using a transitive verb in which someone or something is doing the action. The object of that action is denoted by \u3092:<\/p>\n

\u59b9\u306f\u30d1\u30f3\u3092\u713c\u3044\u3066<\/strong>\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002
\n(\u3044\u3082\u3046\u3068\u306f \u3071\u3093\u3092 \u3084\u3044\u3066<\/strong> \u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002)
\nMy sister is baking bread.<\/p>\n

\u5144\u304c\u6c34\u3092\u3053\u307c\u3057\u3066<\/strong>\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002
\n(\u3042\u306b\u304c \u307f\u305a\u3092 \u3053\u307c\u3057\u3066<\/strong> \u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002)
\nMy brother is spilling water.<\/p>\n

When using an intransitive verb in which the action has occurred and is now simply expressing a state of being, you use the same form but make sure that the subject is noted with the Japanese particle<\/a> \u304c:<\/p>\n

\u30d1\u30f3\u304c\u713c\u3051\u3066<\/strong>\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002
\n(\u3071\u3093\u304c \u3084\u3051\u3066<\/strong> \u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002)
\nThe bread is baked.<\/p>\n

\u6c34\u304c\u3053\u307c\u308c\u3066<\/strong>\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002
\n(\u307f\u305a\u304c \u3053\u307c\u308c\u3066<\/strong> \u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002)
\nThe water is spilled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Congratulations\u2014you can now correcly use the Japanese\u00a0te<\/em> form in 11 unique ways!<\/p>\n

Now, it’s time to get out and practice in the real world. Book a trip to Japan, chat with your language partner or watch native Japanese media. You’ll find loads of sentences that use the\u00a0te<\/em> form, especially if you’re using an immersion program like FluentU<\/a>.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

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