Keep a Japanese grammar notebook

The idea

Give each entry one pattern and a use, not just a translated label. For the て-form, record the dictionary form and the changed form, an example in context, its meaning and a contrast: 〜てください makes a request, while 〜てから places one action after another. Write a sentence of your own, check it against a reliable source and date the next recall attempt.

Examples

• 先さきに手てを洗あらって、料理りょうりを作つくります。First I wash my hands, then I cook.
• 窓まどを開あけてください。Please open the window.
• 今いま、友達ともだちが日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしています。A friend is studying Japanese now.
• 雨あめが降ふっているので、家いえにいます。Because it is raining, I’m at home.
• 朝あさ、駅えきまで歩あるいて行いきました。In the morning, I walked to the station.
• 電車でんしゃに乗のってから、本ほんを読よみました。After getting on the train, I read a book.

Watch out

A single ending can serve several functions: do not treat every て as a request. Keep the verb’s full form and the surrounding construction together.

Try it yourself

1. Complete the sentence for this meaning: First I wash my hands, then I cook. 先さきに手てを洗あら＿、料理りょうりを作つくります。（って／んで）

   Show answer or example answer

   って

   洗う becomes 洗って; this て-form links washing hands with cooking. The example says: First I wash my hands, then I cook.

2. Complete the sentence for this meaning: Please open the window. 窓まどを開あけ＿ください。（て／で）

   Show answer or example answer

   て

   開ける becomes 開けて; てください makes the sentence a request. The example says: Please open the window.

3. Complete the sentence for this meaning: After getting on the train, I read a book. 電車でんしゃに乗のっ＿から、本ほんを読よみました。（て／で）

   Show answer or example answer

   て

   乗る becomes 乗って; てから places the reading after boarding. The example says: After getting on the train, I read a book.

Use it today

Make one entry contrasting 〜てください and 〜てから. Add your own checked example for each and revisit it tomorrow.