How to Make the ‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs

Have you ever wanted to express an ongoing action in Japanese? What about one action occurring after another one?

The Japanese Te form of verbs can accomplish both of these uses!

As you might already know, the て-form (te-form) of Japanese verbs is multifunctional. 

As its main usage, the ‘te’ form is the Japanese present progressive. 

Basically, it is known as the ‘te’ form because you change the verbs to end with the Japanese ‘te’ (て) or ‘nde’ (んで). We’ll teach you how to convert it in ‘te’ form in a moment.

‘Te’ form is used to turn a verb into “-ing” form, like this:

食べる　→　食べて (taberu → tabete) “I eat” / “I will eat” → “I’m eating”

Japanese has the same verb form for the future tense and the present tense, as well as general statements. So, it can be a bit confusing as to whether you mean “I eat (right now)” or “I will eat (in the future).” 

That’s what you understand by using ‘te’ form. Isn’t it so powerful?

The ‘Te’ form makes it crystal clear that an action is not in the future, but an action you’re working on at this moment.

‘Te’ form can also be used with different tenses. Just combine it with other verbs to create other verb tenses. 

For Example:

Okay, now you understand its importance. But how do you make it?

Today we are going to teach you how to make this て-form (‘te’ form).

‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs | Group 1 Verbs

‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs | Group 2 Verbs

‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs | Group 3 Verbs

‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs | Using the ‘Te’ Form to Connect Sentences

‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs | FAQ’s

‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs | Group 1 Verbs

As we have learned, group 1 verbs come with various endings.

These are う (u)、つ (tsu)、る (ru)、ぬ (nu)、ぶ (bu)、む (mu)、く (ku)、ぐ (gu)、and す (su)。

‘Te’ form changes these endings of verbs.

Let’s see what to replace these endings with!

• For group 1 verbs which end up with the words う (u), つ (tsu) or る (ru), replace these words with って (tte). 

• For verbs which end up with the words ぬ (nu), ぶ (bu) or む (mu), replace the words with んで (nde).

• For group 1 verbs which end up with the word く (ku), change the word to いて (ite). 

• For those which end up with the word ぐ (gu), change it to いで (ide). 

• And for those which end up with the word す (su), change it to して (shite).

Exception!!

• For the japanese verb いく (iku) which means “to go”, the te-form is いって (itte).

Here are some examples:

‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs | Group 2 Verbs

‘Te’ form for Group 2 and Group 3 verbs is very easy.

Group 2 verbs always end with the word る (ru). So, you just need to replace る (ru) with て (te).

Take a look at some examples:

‘Te’ Form of Japanese Verbs | Group 3 Verbs

There are only two Group 3 verbs! So remembering the ‘te’ form of these verbs won’t be a problem for you.

The te-form of する (suru) is して (shite) and the te-form of くる (kuru) is きて (kite).

Examples:

Using the て Form to Connect Sentences

Another way you can use the ‘te’ form is to connect verb sentences.

When two or more actions take place in order, the actions are mentioned in the sequence by using the te-form. 

It is kind of similar to the function of the English word “then”.

Here, no past tense is used for ‘te’ form. 

The tense of the sentence is determined by the tense form of the last verb in the sentence.

For example:

You will have to use this form regularly and at various places. It also has importance in different grammar patterns.

So keep practicing till you can use it fluently in conversations.

頑張って （がんばって）!!

This means good luck!

Are you a Flexi Classes student already?

Learn more about the て (te) Form in the following Flexi lessons:

Let’s hurry back home (A1+, Chapter 1)
Give me a medicine (A1+, Chapter 1)
May I take pictures? (A1+, Chapter 2)

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And that’s it, an introduction to the Japanese Te form! 

Not so daunting, right?

Don’t forget to also check these lessons if you want to take your Japanese level a bit further, or if you need to brush up on your skills:

• How to use adjectives in Japanese
• Japanese basic sentence structure
• Japanese adverbs
• Question words in Japanese

Have you ever considered joining an online class with a professional teacher?

With Flexi Classes you can study Japanese 24/7 with professional teachers, and even choose your study time and study topic!

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