て形
te-kei
The English phrase "te form" refers to the Japanese term て形 (te-kei).
The て形 is a non-finite conjugation used to link verbs, adjectives or nouns in a sequence. It is also used to indicate a sequence of actions or to express a request when followed by ください (kudasai), as in てください, meaning "please do".
What does it mean word for word?
The term consists of the particle て (te) and 形 (kei), which means "form" or "shape".
How does it change in a sentence?
The て形 is used to connect clauses.
How do you pronounce it?
te-kei
Did you know?
- There is a specific auxiliary verb ～てしまう (te shimau) that uses the て形 to indicate that an action was completed accidentally or with a sense of regret.
- While the て形 usually links actions, using it to end a sentence in casual speech can function as a soft command or a request, effectively omitting the ください entirely.
- The character 形 (kei) in て形 is the same word used to describe the 'shape' of a physical object or the 'form' of a person's body.
Examples in context
- 動詞のて形を練習します。Doushi no te-kei o renshuu shimasu.I will practice the te-form of verbs.
- このて形は少し難しいです。Kono te-kei wa sukoshi muzukashii desu.This te-form is a little difficult.
Example conversation
Two students are studying Japanese grammar together.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さんはて形が上手ですね。Youta-san wa te-kei ga jouzu desu ne.You are good at the te-form, Youta.
- 陽太 Yotaいいえ、まだ練習中です。Iie, mada renshuu chuu desu.No, I am still practicing.
- 陽葵 Himariて形はとても大切ですよ。Te-kei wa totemo taisetsu desu yo.The te-form is very important, you know.
- 陽太 Yotaはい、頑張って覚えます。Hai, ganbatte oboemasu.Yes, I will do my best to memorize it.
