Unit 1 - Section 4: Dictionary Form
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、勉強している。
[Ima, benkyou shite iru]
Translation: I'm studying now. (ongoing action)
結婚している。
[Kekkon shite iru]
Translation: I'm married. (resulting state)
2. 〜てください (Polite Request)
Usage: Making polite requests
窓を開けてください。
[Mado wo akete kudasai]
Translation: Please open the window.
もう一度言ってください。
[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
写真を撮ってもいいですか。
[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"
ここで煙草を吸ってはいけません。
[Koko de tabako wo sutte wa ikemasen]
Translation: You must not smoke here.
遅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
宿題をしてから、遊びます。
[Shukudai wo shite kara, asobimasu]
Translation: After doing homework, I'll play.
日本に来てから、3年になります。
[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
この料理を食べてみてください。
[Kono ryouri wo tabete mite kudasai]
Translation: Please try eating this dish.
新しい方法でやってみます。
[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
友達に本を貸してあげた。
[Tomodachi ni hon wo kashite ageta]
Translation: I lent a book to my friend (as a favor).
先生が教えてくれました。
[Sensei ga oshiete kuremashita]
Translation: The teacher taught me (as a favor to me).
母に手伝ってもらった。
[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
明日のために準備しておきます。
[Ashita no tame ni junbi shite okimasu]
Translation: I'll prepare for tomorrow (in advance).
窓を開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