～ては・～では (condition)
If this happens, an unwanted result follows
You’ll be able to warn that a repeated or continuing condition would lead to a problematic consequence.
そんなにのんびりしていては、出発の時間に遅れてしまいますよ。
sonna ni nonbiri shite ite wa, shuppatsu no jikan ni okurete shimaimasu yo.
What do you think this sentence means?
If you just take it easy like that, you will end up being late for our departure time.
Warn that an action leads to a negative result
～ては (or ～では after voiced sounds) sets up an action or ongoing condition as the cause that inevitably leads to a negative, undesirable, or troublesome outcome.
夜遅くまで起きていては、朝起きられないよ。
yoru osoku made okite ite wa, asa okirarenai yo.
If you stay up late, you won’t be able to get up in the morning.
こんなにうるさくては、勉強できません。
konna ni urusakute wa, benkyou dekimasen.
With it this noisy, I cannot study.
Attach は to a て-form condition
Attach は to the て-form of verbs or adjectives (or では with nouns and na-adjectives). The following clause expresses a negative consequence, difficulty, or impossibility.
こんなにミスが多くては、安心して仕事を任せられない。
konna ni misu ga ookute wa, anshin shite shigoto o makaserarenai.
If there are this many mistakes, we can’t entrust work to you with peace of mind.
「薬を飲んでも、夜遅くまでゲームをしていては、風邪は治らないよ。」
“kusuri o nonde mo, yoru osoku made geemu o shite ite wa, kaze wa naoranai yo.”
“Even if you take medicine, your cold won’t get better if you keep playing games late into the night.”
店長がいつも怒っていては、新しいアルバイトはすぐに辞めてしまいますよ。
tenchou ga itsumo okotte ite wa, atarashii arubaito wa sugu ni yamete shimaimasu yo.
If the manager is always angry, new part-timers will quit right away.
「窓を全部閉めていては、部屋の空気が悪くなるよ。少し開けよう。」
“mado o zenbu shimete ite wa, heya no kuuki ga waruku naru yo. sukoshi akeyou.”
“If you keep all the windows shut, the air in the room will get stale. Let’s open one a little.”
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.