～て・～くて・～で・～なくて (reason)
Connect a situation directly to its cause
You'll be able to explain simple causes involving verbs, adjectives, nouns, and negative forms.
芽衣は疲れて、歩けません。
mei wa tsukarete, arukemasen.
What do you think this sentence means?
Mei is tired and cannot walk.
Connect a cause with a natural result
The て connective can give a reason for a feeling, difficulty, or other natural result. The cause is integrated into the sentence rather than presented as a strong argument.
暑くて、眠れません。
atsukute, nemuremasen.
It is hot, so I cannot sleep.
Form and use ～て・～くて・～で・～なくて (reason)
Use the connective appropriate to the word class. A main-clause command, request, or deliberate proposal usually needs から or ので instead of this causal て.
事故があって、遅れました。
jiko ga atte, okuremashita.
There was an accident, so I was late.
暑くて、眠れません。
atsukute, nemuremasen.
It is hot, so I cannot sleep.
道が複雑で、分かりません。
michi ga fukuzatsu de, wakarimasen.
The route is complicated, so I do not understand it.
バスが来なくて、困っています。
basu ga konakute, komatte imasu.
The bus has not come, and I am having trouble.
昨日は熱があって、何も食べられませんでした。
kinou wa netsu ga atte, nani mo taberaremasen deshita.
I had a fever yesterday and couldn't eat anything.
今日は寒くて、外に出たくありません。
kyou wa samukute, soto ni detaku arimasen.
It's so cold today that I don't want to go outside.
電話がつながらなくて、困りました。
denwa ga tsunagaranakute, komarimashita.
I couldn't get through on the phone, and I didn't know what to do.
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.