Mini-Dialogue: Te-Form & Connecting
A practical review of N4 te-form patterns including ongoing states, permissions, and prohibitions through a natural office conversation.
Office Protocol
You are at your new office in Tokyo. Your colleague, Sato-san, is showing you the ropes. Understanding how to connect actions and follow rules is essential for office life.
Connecting with Te-Form
The te-form is the 'glue' of Japanese grammar. It allows you to chain actions or attach auxiliary verbs to change the meaning of a sentence.
Tip
Office Dialogue
Listen to the interaction between Sato-san and the new employee.
いま、かいぎをしています。
今、会議をしています。
We are having a meeting now.
ここでまってもいいですか。
ここで待ってもいいですか。
May I wait here?
ええ、いいですよ。でも、しりょうはさわってはいけません。
ええ、いいですよ。でも、資料は触ってはいけません。
Yes, that's fine. But you must not touch the documents.
What does '触ってはいけません' mean in this context?
- You are touching it.
- You may touch it.
- ✓ You must not touch it.
- You have already touched it.
〜てはいけません is the standard structure for expressing prohibition.
Nuance and Register
Using the te-form correctly helps you sound polite and clear in a professional setting.
Permission Levels
〜てもいいですか
Polite request for permission
入ってもいいですか
〜てもよろしいですか
Very formal/business request
入ってもよろしいですか
Which form is most appropriate when speaking to your boss?
- 〜てもいい？
- 〜てもいいですか
- ✓ 〜てもよろしいですか
While '〜てもいいですか' is polite, '〜てもよろしいですか' is more professional and appropriate for superiors.
Advanced Te-Form Usage
Sometimes the te-form implies a reason or sequence.
Te-form as 'And'
Lesson Recap
The te-form is essential for N4 proficiency. By mastering the auxiliary attachments, you can express ongoing states, request permission, and understand rules.