Unit 1 - Section 4: Dictionary Form

Practice Quiz

て-form Compound Patterns

The て-form is incredibly versatile and serves as the foundation for many compound patterns in Japanese. Once you master the て-form, you can express progressive actions, sequences, requests, and more.

Key て-form Patterns

1. 〜ている (Progressive / State)

Usage: Ongoing actions or resulting states

今いま、勉強べんきょうしている。
[Ima, benkyou shite iru]
Translation: I'm studying now. (ongoing action)
結婚けっこんしている。
[Kekkon shite iru]
Translation: I'm married. (resulting state)
2. 〜てください (Polite Request)

Usage: Making polite requests

窓まどを開あけてください。
[Mado wo akete kudasai]
Translation: Please open the window.
もう一度いちど言いってください。
[Mou ichido itte kudasai]
Translation: Please say it one more time.
3. 〜てもいいです (Permission)

Usage: Asking for or giving permission

写真しゃしんを撮とってもいいですか。
[Shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka]
Translation: May I take a photo?
ここに座すわってもいいですよ。
[Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu yo]
Translation: You may sit here.
4. 〜てはいけません (Prohibition)

Usage: Expressing prohibition or "must not"

ここで煙草たばこを吸すってはいけません。
[Koko de tabako wo sutte wa ikemasen]
Translation: You must not smoke here.
遅おくれてはいけませんよ。
[Okurete wa ikemasen yo]
Translation: You mustn't be late.
5. 〜てから (After doing...)

Usage: Expressing sequence of actions

宿題しゅくだいをしてから、遊あそびます。
[Shukudai wo shite kara, asobimasu]
Translation: After doing homework, I'll play.
日本にほんに来きてから、3年ねんになります。
[Nihon ni kite kara, san-nen ni narimasu]
Translation: It's been 3 years since I came to Japan.
6. 〜てみる (Try doing...)

Usage: Expressing "try to do" something

この料理りょうりを食たべてみてください。
[Kono ryouri wo tabete mite kudasai]
Translation: Please try eating this dish.
新あたらしい方法ほうほうでやってみます。
[Atarashii houhou de yatte mimasu]
Translation: I'll try doing it with a new method.
7. 〜てあげる / くれる / もらう (Giving/Receiving)

Usage: Doing something for someone

友達ともだちに本ほんを貸かしてあげた。
[Tomodachi ni hon wo kashite ageta]
Translation: I lent a book to my friend (as a favor).
先生せんせいが教おしえてくれました。
[Sensei ga oshiete kuremashita]
Translation: The teacher taught me (as a favor to me).
母ははに手伝てつだってもらった。
[Haha ni tetsudatte moratta]
Translation: I had my mother help me / My mother helped me (receiving).
8. 〜ておく (Do in advance / Leave as is)

Usage: Preparing something in advance

明日あしたのために準備じゅんびしておきます。
[Ashita no tame ni junbi shite okimasu]
Translation: I'll prepare for tomorrow (in advance).
窓まどを開あけておいてください。
[Mado wo akete oite kudasai]
Translation: Please leave the window open.

Quick Reference Chart

Pattern Meaning Quick Example
〜ている -ing / state 食べている (eating)
〜てください please do 食べてください (please eat)
〜てもいい may do 食べてもいい (may eat)
〜てはいけない must not do 食べてはいけない (must not eat)
〜てから after doing 食べてから (after eating)
〜てみる try doing 食べてみる (try eating)
〜てあげる do for (outward) 作ってあげる (make for someone)
〜てくれる do for (inward) 作ってくれる (someone makes for me)
〜てもらう receive favor 作ってもらう (have someone make)
〜ておく do in advance 準備しておく (prepare in advance)

Study Tips

Mastering て-form Patterns:
  • Start simple: Master basic て-form conjugation first
  • One at a time: Learn one pattern thoroughly before moving to the next
  • Daily practice: Use different patterns each day in your sentences
  • Context matters: Pay attention to who is doing what for whom (あげる vs くれる vs もらう)
  • Natural flow: These patterns make your Japanese sound more natural and fluent
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz