The て-form and useful requests
Build requests and learn the first sound changes in the て-form.
What you’ll work on
- Recognize common て-form endings
- Ask someone to do something with てください
- Remember the special form 行って
A short conversation
Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback. Kana readings help you read the written words; they do not show pitch accent.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- すみません。sumimasenexcuse me / sorry
- もういちどmouichidoonce more / again
- いってittesay (て-form)
- ください。kudasaiplease give me
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- ここkokohere
- にnitime, destination, or location marker
- なまえnamaename
- をoobject markerPronounced o. Marks what the action acts on; English usually has no separate word for it.
- かいてkaitewrite (て-form)
- ください。kudasaiplease give me
The owner of the name is understood, so English adds “your”. て-form + ください makes a polite request.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- はい。haiyes
- すこしsukoshia little / a moment
- まってmattewait (て-form)
- ください。kudasaiplease give me
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- どうぞ。douzogo ahead / please
The て-form connects to useful endings
For ichidan verbs, remove る and add て: 食べる → 食べて. For する use して; for 来る use 来て（きて）. The て-form itself is not a past tense.
Godan endings change in groups: う・つ・る → って; む・ぶ・ぬ → んで; く → いて; ぐ → いで; す → して. These are spelling and sound changes, not changes for different people. 行く is a common exception: 行って.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- かくkakuwrite (dictionary form)
- → →changes to
- かいてkaitewrite (て-form)
“て-form” names a verb form; it is not the meaning of 書いて.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- のむnomudrink (dictionary form)
- → →changes to
- のんでnondedrink (て-form)
“て-form” names a verb form; it is not the meaning of 飲んで.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- いくikugo (dictionary form)
- → →changes to
- いってittego (て-form)
行く has the exceptional form 行って. “て-form” names the form, not its meaning.
Add ください for a request
Attach ください to a て-form: 書いてください, please write. A polite ending does not make every request appropriate in every relationship, but this is useful in practical instructions and basic classroom exchanges.
待ってください means please wait. 言ってください means please say it. Keep their small っ. For a negative request, ないでください will be introduced with plain negatives.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- すこしsukoshia little / a moment
- まってmattewait (て-form)
- ください。kudasaiplease (request)
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- ゆっくりyukkurislowly
- はなしてhanashitespeak (て-form)
- ください。kudasaiplease (request)
Lesson vocabulary
Listen once, say it aloud, and try to recall the Japanese before looking.
| Japanese / reading | English | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| 書く かく | to write (godan) | |
| 待つ まつ | to wait (godan) | |
| 言う いう | to say (godan) | |
| 話す はなす | to speak (godan) | |
| ここ ここ | here | |
| どうぞ どうぞ | go ahead / please (offering) |
Practice questions
Try every question, then check your answers. Punctuation and spacing do not affect your score. Use the displayed Japanese spelling or the complete kana reading; mixed spellings are accepted only when explicitly listed. Long vowels, small kana, and verb endings matter.
Showing an answer makes that question a practice item worth zero for this attempt. Retry with the answers hidden when you’re ready. If audio cannot play, use Show answer / text to practice by reading.
Independent practice
These are independent practice tasks. The site does not record your voice, save your writing, or grade open-ended answers. Ask a teacher or conversation partner for feedback when you can.
Speaking practice
Give three gentle practice instructions using 書いてください, 待ってください, and 話してください.
Writing practice
Sort six dictionary verbs by their て-form ending. Include 行く as an exception.
Review the lesson objectives
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