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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar Verb て-form ＜動詞て形（どうし てけい）＞.
What is Verb て(te)-form ＜動詞て形（どうし てけい）＞
The conjugational forms of verbs that end in "て" or "で" are called て(te)-form.
In this lesson, we will explain how to make the て-form from the ます-form（ます形）.
The conjugation method changes depending on the verb group.
⚠Before studying “て-form”, please review if you have forgotten about verb groups.
・💁Explanation of Verb Groups ↓↓
＜Group Ⅱ / Group Ⅲ Verbs (Ⅱ, Ⅲグループ)＞
For Group Ⅱ and Group Ⅲ verbs, simply change "ます" to "て".
(Add "て" to the stem, which is the part before ます in the ます-form.)
＜Group Ⅰ (Ⅰグループ)＞
Verbs in Group Ⅰ are conjugated differently depending on the character before "ます".
(The conjugation changes depending on the last part of the stem.)
① "い", "ち", or "り"
When the last character (sound) of the word stem (the character immediately before "ます") is "い", "ち", or "り", it changes to "って".
② "み", "び", or "に"
When the last character before "ます" is "み", "び", or "に", it changes to "んで".
③ "き"
When the last character before "ます" is "き", it changes to "いて".
Note: The verb 行きます（いきます） becomes 行って.
④ "ぎ"
When the last character before "ます" is "ぎ", it changes to "いで".
⑤ "し"
When the last character before "ます" is "し", it changes to "して".
Video Explanation
Suggested Study Material
Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
This grammar point appears in Minna no Nihongo(Lesson14), one of the most widely used beginner textbooks for Japanese learners.
Check textbook detailsThe main textbook is written mostly in Japanese, so many learners also use the Translation & Grammar Notes together.
Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
Check translation & grammar book※Minna no Nihongo is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can search the title on your local Amazon store.
Speaking Practice
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