Te-Form & Connecting Lesson 3
This lesson covers essential N4 te-form structures: ている for ongoing states, てある for resultant states, てもいい for permission, and てはいけない for prohibition.
Situations and Rules
In daily life, we often need to describe what is currently happening, what has been prepared, or what is allowed and forbidden. Whether you are in a library or a kitchen, these structures help you communicate clearly.
ここでしゃしんをとってもいいですか？
ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか？
Is it okay to take a photo here?
いいえ、ここではとってはいけません。
いいえ、ここでは撮ってはいけません。
No, you must not take them here.
Core Structures
The te-form is the foundation for expressing states and rules. Here are the four key patterns.
- ている: Indicates an ongoing action or a continuous state. 2. てある: Indicates that something has been done intentionally and the result remains. 3. てもいい: Used to grant permission (Is it okay to...). 4. てはいけない: Used to express prohibition (Must not do...).
Tip
Examples in Context
See how these structures function in natural sentences.
窓が開けてあります。
The window has been left open.
ここで靴を脱いでもいいですか？
Is it okay to take off my shoes here?
ここで遊んではいけません。
You must not play here.
テレビを【つけて】いいですか？
Hint: Te-form of つける
Is it okay to turn on the TV?
Nuance and Register
Understanding the social weight of these patterns is important for polite communication.
Permission vs. Prohibition
〜てもいいです
Polite permission
入ってもいいです
〜てはいけません
Strict prohibition
入ってはいけません
Which phrase is more appropriate for a formal request to a superior?
- 〜てもいいですか
- ✓ 〜てもよろしいでしょうか
〜てもよろしいでしょうか is the humble/polite version of 〜てもいいですか.
Deep Dive: ている vs てある
The difference between these two often confuses learners.
Lesson Recap
We explored how the te-form connects to auxiliary verbs to express states, permission, and prohibition. Mastering these will allow you to navigate social rules and describe your environment with precision.