JLPT N5 grammar · Chapter 7

～て、～

Link actions in order

You’ll be able to connect several actions in sequence within a single flowing sentence.

Read it first

駅えきで友達ともだちに会あって、映画えいがを見みます。

eki de tomodachi ni atte, eiga o mimasu.

What do you think this sentence means?

I meet a friend at the station and then watch a movie.

Why it means that

Connect actions in a sequence

Use a verb’s て-form to link it to the next action. This is a natural way to describe a sequence without repeating そして.

Example

朝あさご飯はんを食たべて、学校がっこうに行いきます。

asagohan o tabete, gakkou ni ikimasu.

I eat breakfast and then go to school.

How it is built

Change the first verb to the て-form, then continue with the next clause. The final verb carries the sentence’s tense and politeness.

Verb-て+Next clause

Examples

ドアを開あけて、部屋へやに入はいります。

doa o akete, heya ni hairimasu.

I open the door and enter the room.

駅えきで友達ともだちに会あって、一緒いっしょに帰かえりました。

eki de tomodachi ni atte, issho ni kaerimashita.

I met my friend at the station and we went home together.

シャワーを浴あびて、寝ねます。

shawaa o abite, nemasu.

I take a shower and go to bed.

Examples

朝あさ六ろく時じに起きおきて、顔かおを洗いあらいます。

asa rokuji ni okite, kao o araimasu.

I get up at six in the morning and wash my face.

朝あさご飯ごはんを食べたべて、新聞しんぶんを読みよみます。

asagohan o tabete, shinbun o yomimasu.

I eat breakfast and read the newspaper.

スーパーで野菜やさいを買かって、家いえに帰りかえります。

suupaa de yasai o katte, ie ni kaerimasu.

I buy vegetables at the supermarket and go home.

13 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.