Conjunctive Particle 「て」 – Usages and Examples
🌟Conjunctive Particle 「て」 – Usages and Examples
① [Sequence of Actions or Events]
➡ “Aして、Bする”: Two or more actions happen in order.
Meaning: Action A happens, and then action B follows. It expresses a natural sequence.
Examples:
- I got up in the morning and took a shower.
- I ate breakfast and watched TV.
- I opened the door and entered the room.
- I took off my shoes and went inside the house.
- I read a book and got sleepy.
② [Cause / Reason]
➡ “Aして、B”: Action A causes or leads to result B.
Meaning: B happens because of A (natural cause).
Examples:
- I ate too much and got a stomachache.
- It rained, so the game was canceled.
- I was late and got scolded by the teacher.
- I didn’t study and failed the test.
- I had a fever and stayed home from school.
③ [Means / Method]
➡ “〜て”: Describes how something is done.
Meaning: Similar to “〜で” in meaning.
Examples:
- Make it using your hands.
- Try speaking in Japanese.
- Go by train.
- Cut it with a knife.
- Work using a computer.
④ [Accompanying Situation]
➡ Doing B while being in state A / A is the background to B.
Meaning: Action B happens while in the state or doing action A.
Examples:
- Talk while laughing.
- Go home crying.
- Leave the room angrily.
- Study while listening to music.
- Sleep while holding a baby.
⑤ [Requests / Commands / Desires] (colloquial)
➡ Used in phrases like “〜てください”, “〜てね”, or “〜てほしい”
Examples:
- Please open the door.
- Wait a minute, okay?
- Please write your name.
- I want you to turn off the light.
- Please say it again.
⑥ [Negative Connection / Prohibition] (with ない-form)
➡ “〜なくて” or “〜しないで”
Examples:
- I didn’t eat breakfast, so I had no energy.
- I went out without an umbrella.
- I didn’t study and got scolded.
- I went to school without oversleeping.
- Please don’t complain.
⑦ [Contrast / Listing Qualities] (rare usage)
➡ “〜て、〜て”: Can list qualities or describe contrast.
Examples:
- A red and round apple.
- This dish is cheap and delicious.
- He is kind and smart.
- The weather is nice and the wind feels good.
- This book is hard and thick.
※This usage often appears with i-adjectives in their te-form.
🔁 Bonus: Conjugation Examples (Verbs)
| Verb | て-form |
|---|---|
| 行く (to go) | 行って |
| 食べる (to eat) | 食べて |
| 飲む (to drink) | 飲んで |
| 話す (to speak) | 話して |
| 待つ (to wait) | 待って |
| 死ぬ (to die) | 死んで |
| 読む (to read) | 読んで |
| 書く (to write) | 書いて |
| 泳ぐ (to swim) | 泳いで |
💡 Summary
- 「て」 is highly versatile! It’s used for sequencing, cause, method, requests, states, etc.
- It appears in many patterns like 「〜てください」, 「〜てもらう」, 「〜てほしい」, 「〜てはいけない」, and more.
