The て-form and useful requests
Build requests and learn the first sound changes in the て-form.
Recognize common て-form endings.
Hear the lesson phrases
Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback.
Read the audio transcript
すみません。もう一度言ってください。
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
Read each word aloud, then test your recall of its meaning.
| 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
Answer the questions and read the explanations. You can repeat the exercises.
Remember the special form 行って.