In Japanese,
て is a very important conjunction particle that can be used with many different structures. When it is partnered with a verb, it has special conjugation rules, depending on whether it is being added to a
る-Verb or a
う-Verb. In the case of
う-Verbs, it also depends on what the preceding kana is.
The most common translation in any situation is just ‘and’ or ‘then’, due to (B) being highlighted as something that happens/happened after (A).
-
山(やま)を登(のぼ)って休(やす)む。
To climb a mountain, then rest. (To climb a mountain, and rest)
-
食(た)べて寝(ね)る。
To eat, then sleep. (To eat, and sleep)
In these examples, we can see that
て basically means ‘(A)
て (B)’ = ‘(A) happened, then (B)’. However, this is only when it is linked to another verb.
Sometimes the
て form appears as
で. This is a change that happened throughout the course of history, in order to make sentences flow more smoothly. Despite this, there is no difference in meaning between
て and
で as a vocal change.
-
本(ほん)を読(よ)んで返(かえ)す。
To read a book, then return it. (て appearing as で)
-
遊(あそ)んで帰(かえ)る。
To play, then go home. (て appearing as で)
The easiest way to identify whether to use
て or
で is by looking at the preceding kana. If the plain (dictionary) form of the verb finishes in ぐ, ぬ, ぶ, or む, then
で will be used.
る-Verbs never use
で.
There are several irregular verbs when it comes to
て form conjugation. Let’s look at an example of each one.
-
学校(がっこう)に行(い)って勉強(べんきょう)をする。
I go to school, then study. (行(い)く’s conjugation with て)
-
ダイエットをして痩(や)せる。
To go on a diet, then lose weight. (する’s conjugation with て)
-
公園(こうえん)に来(き)て遊(あそ)ぶ。
To come to the park, then play. (来(く)る’s conjugation with て)
-
答(こた)えを問(と)うて書(か)く。
To enquire about the answer, then write it down. (問(と)う’s conjugation with て)
-
許可(きょか)を請(こ)うて実行(じっこう)する。
To get permission, then act out. (請(こ)う’s conjugation with て)
Apart from these 5 verbs, the rules for
て form conjugation are 100% consistent.