N4#te-form#verbs#grammar#n4

Te-Form & Connecting Lesson 9

Mastering the versatile Te-form for state-of-being, permission, and prohibition.

Context

Setting the Scene

Imagine you are visiting a Japanese temple or a library. You see signs and hear people talking about what is currently happening, what is allowed, and what is strictly forbidden.

In these environments, you often need to describe the state of things (like a door being open) or follow rules (like not taking photos). The Te-form acts as the bridge that allows you to connect these concepts into natural, everyday Japanese.

Explanation

Core Grammar Patterns

The Te-form is the foundation for many essential N4 structures. Here are three critical ways to use it.

Verb-te+います/あります/もいいです/はいけません

～ている/～てある: Describes an ongoing action or a state resulting from an action. 2. ～てもいいです: Used to grant permission ('It is okay to...'). 3. ～てはいけません: Used to express prohibition ('You must not...').

Tip

Remember that the Te-form conjugation depends on the verb group (u-verbs, ru-verbs, or irregulars). Always ensure your Te-form is correct before attaching these endings.

Examples

Examples in Context

See how these patterns function in real sentences.

ここで写真(しゃしん)を撮って(とって)もいいです。

You may take photos here.

ここここhereででat写真しゃしんphotoををobject marker撮ってとってtake (te-form)もいいですもいいですmay

ここでタバコを吸って(すって)はいけません。

You must not smoke here.

吸ってすってsmoke (te-form)はいけませんはいけませんmust not

窓(まど)が開いて(あいて)います。

The window is open (state).

窓まどwindowががsubject marker開いてあいてopen (te-form)いますいますis (state)

ここで走っ【ては】いけません。

Hint: The prohibition pattern is ～てはいけません.

You must not run here.

Usage

Nuance and Register

Understanding when to use these forms helps you sound natural and polite.

Permission vs. Prohibition

～てもいいですか

Asking for permission

入ってもいいですか

～てはいけません

Strong prohibition

入ってはいけません

Which phrase is appropriate for a formal sign in a park?

ゴミを捨ててもいいです
✓ ゴミを捨ててはいけません

Signs usually state rules or prohibitions, so ～てはいけません is the correct choice.

Deep dive

Deep Dive: ている vs てある

A subtle difference for advanced learners.

While both describe a state, ～ている focuses on the ongoing action or state of the subject (e.g., 'The window is open'). ～てある focuses on a state resulting from someone's intentional action (e.g., 'The window has been opened [by someone]').

Summary

Lesson Recap

You have learned how to use the Te-form to describe states, grant permission, and prohibit actions. Practice these daily to build fluency.

写真

しゃしんnoun

photo

撮る

とるverb

to take (a photo)

吸う

すうverb

to smoke

窓

まどnoun

window

開く

あくverb

to open