Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 4: 16/18

～てはIf, With, Since, Because

Structure

Verb［て］+ は(1)
［い］Adjective［て］+ は
［な］Adjective + では(2)
Noun + では(2)

(1) Verb［て］ + ちゃ
(2) じゃ

Details

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    Standard

About ては

When the particles て and は are combined, they form a regular composite structure that is used primarily to highlight repeating actions, or to make assessments or judgments about potential situations. In this grammar structure, we will be looking at the nuance that is used with potential situations. This may be interpreted simply as 'if (A), (B)', 'when (A), (B)', or 'because of (A), (B)'.

At times when used as 'if', ては will generally express some sort of negative expectation or comment.

Depending on what ては appears after, では may be used instead. This is the case when following nouns, な-Adjectives, or verbs that require で to be used instead of て when conjugating.

As with many other structures that use ては or では, it will often be shortened to じゃ or ちゃ.

Related

Examples

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    無理(むり)に引(ひ)っぱっては壊(こわ)れてしまいますよ！

    If you pull it forcibly, it will break!

    寝(ね)る前(まえ)にそんなコーヒーを飲(の)んでは寝(ね)られない。

    If you drink coffee before going to bed, you won't be able to sleep a wink.

    こんなに塩辛(しおから)くては売(う)り物(もの)にならないよ。

    If it is this salty, it will not sell.

    そんな服装(ふくそう)ではあの店(みせ)には入(い)れてもらえないよ。

    With those clothes, you won't be able to enter that shop.

    そのような給与(きゅうよ)では、あの工場(こうじょう)で働(はたら)くには無理(むり)がある。

    It is not worth working in that factory if that is what you will be paid.

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