Introduction

The "Te-form" is one of the most useful verb forms in Japanese. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn the 3 main uses of the Te-form that will transform your ability to communicate in Japanese.

You'll be able to make requests, get permission, and talk about the present moment. With correct usage, your Japanese will evolve from "robotic" to "human."

📖 Contents of this Article

  1. Lesson 1: What is the Te-form? — How to create the basic form
  2. Lesson 2: 〜てください — How to make requests
  3. Lesson 3: 〜てもいいですか — How to ask for permission
  4. Lesson 4: 〜ています — How to talk about the "now"

Lesson 1: What is the Te-form? — How to create the basic form

Example sentences

Five requests

10 seconds

The example sentences, recorded one by one.

Read the transcript

書かいてください。
Please write.

食たべてください。
Please eat.

行いってください。
Please go.

待まってください。
Please wait.

読よんでください。
Please read.

What is the "Te-form"?

The Te-form is the most frequently used verb form in Japanese. It's used every day all across Japan.

The 3 Powers of the Te-form:

  • First Power: You can make requests
  • Second Power: You can get permission
  • Third Power: You can talk about the present moment

How to Form the Te-form

Before we use the Te-form, let's learn the basics in just 30 seconds. There are three types of verbs.

Group 1: ~kimasu type verbs

~kimasu → ~ite
Example) Kakimasu (write) → Kaite

Group 2: ~masu type verbs

~masu → add "te"
Example) Tabemasu (eat) → Tabete

Group 3: Irregular verbs

Shimasu (do) → Shite Kimasu (come) → Kite
A complete list and practice problems are in the description box.

Lesson 2: 〜てください — How to make requests

Example sentences

Writing your name

6 seconds

The example sentences, recorded one by one.

Read the transcript

ここに名な前まえを書かいてください。
Please write your name here.

はい、わかりました。
Yes, got it.

Example sentences

Requests in real situations

14 seconds

The example sentences, recorded one by one.

Read the transcript

この本ほんを読よんでください。
Please read this book.

どうぞ、食たべてください。
Go ahead and eat.

ここで待まってください。
Please wait here.

明日あしたは、九時に学がっ校こうへ行いってください。
Tomorrow, please go to school at nine.

Audio from the video

Listen to how 〜てください makes a request

43 seconds

A clip from a short YouTube video, explanation included.

Read the transcript

You said "Nomimasu"?

That's not a request.

That's a declaration.

In Japanese, there's no word for "please" by itself.

You need a formula.

"Kudasai" means "please give me." Give me your ACTION.

Miseru → Misete kudasai (Please show me)

Kiku → Kiite kudasai (Please listen)

Matsu → Mattekudasai (Please wait)

Sumimasen, menu o misete kudasai. (Excuse me, please show me the menu.)

One formula. Endless uses.

This is 1 of 3 Te-Form powers.

I break down all 3 in the long video.

See you next time.

Scene 1: In a Japanese restaurant

You're in a Japanese restaurant. You want to see the menu. What do you say to the staff?

Incorrect way

「Menu, I will look...?」

This means "I will look at the menu." It's not a request.

Correct way

「Menu o misete kudasai.」

Natural! Perfect!

The formula for 〜てください

Te-form + "kudasai"

"Kudasai" means "please give me." In other words, "please give me your action." That's why it's polite.

Practical examples

"Misemasu" (show) → "Misete kudasai" (Please show me) "Kikimasu" (listen) → "Kiite kudasai" (Please listen) "Machimasu" (wait) → "Matte kudasai" (Please wait)

Scene 2: Real-life usage

「Sumimasen, omizu o motte kite kudasai.」 (Excuse me, please bring me some water.)

With this, you won't have any more trouble. At convenience stores, stations, and hotels. You can use it all over Japan.

Quiz 1 ✏️ Practice ①

Think of your answer before opening the solution.

Convert the following verbs to the 〜てください form:

  1. Tasukemasu (help)
  2. Oshiemasu (teach)
  3. Yomimasu (read)
💡 Show Answer
  1. Tasukete kudasai
  2. Oshiete kudasai
  3. Yonde kudasai

Try more questions →

Lesson 3: 〜てもいいですか — How to ask for permission

Audio from the video

Listen to how 〜てもいいですか asks permission

58 seconds

A clip from a short YouTube video, explanation included.

Read the transcript

Japanese culture runs on permission.

Do the wrong thing without asking?

You're the rude foreigner.

Forever.

But there's one formula that fixes that instantly.

Te-form + mo ii desu ka?

Literally: "Even if I do this...

is it okay?"

Shashin wo toru → Shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka? (May I take a photo?)

Suwaru → Suwatte mo ii desu ka? (May I sit here?)

The pattern never changes. Just swap the verb.

Te-form. Plus mo ii desu ka.

One question.

A thousand situations covered.

Ask before you act.

That's not just politeness — that's survival.

This is 2 of 3 Te-Form powers.

I break down all 3 in the long video.

See you next time!

Scene 1: At a temple in Kyoto

You're at a temple in Kyoto. It's very beautiful. You want to take a picture, but...

You're not sure if it's allowed. There are many rules in Japan. If you do something without asking, you'll get scolded. So first, you ask.

The formula for 〜てもいいですか

Te-form + "mo" + "ii desu ka"

Let's break it down:

  • "~te" ... an action
  • "mo" ... "even if"
  • "ii desu ka" ... Is it okay?

It means: "Is it okay even if I do this?"

Practical examples

"Shashin o torimasu" (take a photo) → "Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?" (Is it okay if I take a photo?) "Koko ni suwarimasu" (sit here) → "Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka?" (Is it okay if I sit here?) "Toire o tsukaimasu" (use the bathroom) → "Toire o tsukatte mo ii desu ka?" (Is it okay if I use the bathroom?)

When you receive responses

If the answer is YES

「Hai, ii desu yo.」(Yes, that's fine.)

If the answer is NO

「Sumimasen, ~te wa ikemasen.」

Example:

「Sumimasen, koko de shashin o totte wa ikemasen.」 (Excuse me, you cannot take photos here.)

The difference between "ikemasen" and "dame desu"

ExpressionStrengthSituation
Dame desuWeakDaily conversation
IkemasenStrongRules and prohibition

In Japan, asking before acting is fundamental. This alone will make your impression completely different.

Quiz 2 ✏️ Practice ②

Think of your answer before opening the solution.

Convert the following verbs to the 〜てもいいですか form:

  1. Kaerimasu (go home)
  2. Nomimasu (drink)
  3. Tsukaimasu (use)
💡 Show Answer
  1. Kaette mo ii desu ka?
  2. Nonde mo ii desu ka?
  3. Tsukatte mo ii desu ka?

Try more questions →

Lesson 4: 〜ています — How to talk about the "now"

Audio from the video

Listen to how 〜ています describes what is happening now

59 seconds

A clip from a short YouTube video, explanation included.

Read the transcript

"I am eating." Sounds simple, right?

In English, "eat" and "am eating" are totally different.

So learners assume Japanese works the same.

It doesn't.

"Tabemasu" does NOT mean "I am eating."

It means "I eat" — a habit.

Or "I will eat" — a plan.

Right now

You need the te-form.

Tabete imasu.

I. Am. Eating.

And here's the twist — "imasu" does double duty.

Kekkon shite imasu.

Not "I'm getting married.

" That's "I AM married."

Done. State.

Nihon ni sunde imasu. "I live in Japan."

Ongoing state.

Same form. Two uses:

action in progress,

or a state of being.

That's all 3 Te-Form powers.

Master them all in the long video (link in bio).

See you next time!

The most important power

Personally, this is the most important one. I have a question for you:

What is "tabemasu" in English?

It's "I eat," right? Or "I will eat." Then what about "I am eating"?

"Right now, eating." Is it "tabemasu"? No, it's not.

"Tabemasu" vs "Tabete imasu"

Meaning of "tabemasu"

  • Habit: I eat every day
  • Future: I will eat tomorrow
  • General fact: I like to eat sushi

Meaning of "tabete imasu"

  • "Now": I am eating right now

The mechanics of 〜ています

"Imasu" means "to exist."

"To exist in a state of eating" = "I am eating"

It means that action is happening right now.

Practical examples

Actions in progress

"Benkyou shimasu" → "Ima, benkyou shite imasu." (I'm studying now) "Hashirimasu" → "Ima, hashitte imasu." (I'm running now)

States that continue

Once an action is complete, if that result is still true "now," we also use 〜ています:

"Kekkon shimasu" → "Kekkon shite imasu." (Meaning: "I am married." - That state has continued)
"Tokyo ni sumimasu" → "Tokyo ni sunde imasu." (Meaning: "I live in Tokyo." - I'm still living there)
"Kono hito o shirimasu" → "Kono hito o shitte imasu." (Meaning: "I know this person." - I still know them)

The power of 〜ています

With just 〜ています, your Japanese will change from "robotic" to "human".

Native speakers constantly use 〜ています when speaking Japanese.

Quiz 3 ✏️ Practice ③

Think of your answer before opening the solution.

Convert the following verbs to the 〜ています form:

  1. Miru (watch)
  2. Benkyou suru (study)
  3. Neru (sleep)
💡 Show Answer
  1. Mite imasu
  2. Benkyou shite imasu
  3. Nete imasu

Try more questions →

Summary: The 3 Magic Powers of the Te-form

UseFormulaExampleSituation
Make a requestte + kudasaiMenu o misete kudasaiAsking the staff
Ask for permissionte + mo + ii desu kaKoko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka?When rules are unclear
Talk about the "now"te + imasuIma, tabete imasuAction in progress
Continuing statete + imasuTokyo ni sunde imasuLasting state

Homework

In the comments section, using 〜ています, write what you are doing right now.

For example:

「I'm watching this video (Kono douga o mite imasu).」 「I'm studying Japanese (Nihongo o benkyou shite imasu).」 「I'm sleeping in bed (Beddo de nete imasu).」

I will check your answers. If you want to practice more, or if you want to talk to me directly, please book through the Preply link.

▶️ Short videos for this article:

💡 Tip: These shorts cover the key points quickly and simply. But if you want to truly master the Te-form, I recommend watching the full lesson in Japanese. Turn on English subtitles and you'll learn so much more:

▶️ Watch the full lesson (with subtitles)

🎓 For those who want to learn more

Would you like to practice with Keigo on Preply?

On YouTube, I teach the rules, but on Preply, we mainly practice conversation. I'll diagnose your Te-form usage and help you learn practical Japanese.

I'm looking forward to meeting you!

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