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The functions of “[V-te] iru” are not limited to the following, but major four functions are;
– Action ongoing
– Repetitive action
– Lasting action
– Sustained result of an action
The top one “Action ongoing” was already explained. Today’s expression is “Lasting action”. First take a look at sentences that do not use “[V-te] iru”;
– Watashi wa Koube ni Sumimasu. (I will live in Kobe.)
– Watashi wa Miller-san o Shirimasu. (I will get to know Mr. Miller.)
– Watashi wa Kekkon Shimasu. (I will marry.)
Looking at these three, you will find that English translations are all in future tense. And note that the second one sounds a little funny because it is unusual to expect to know in the future someone you have already known the name. In order to make these future-tense expressions lasting situation in present, “[V-te] iru” needs to be used.
1. Watashi wa Koube ni Sunde imasu. (I live in Kobe.)
2. Watashi wa Miller-san o Shitte imasu. (I know Mr.Miller.)
3. Watashi wa Kekkon Shite imasu. (I am married.)
It is unclear if the verb “Sumu/Sumimasu(live)” for 1. is momentary or stative, but “Shiru/Shirimasu(get to know)” for 2. and “Kekkonsuru/Kekkonshimasu(get married)” are momentary verbs whose action can be done in a moment or very short period of time. Therefore, it is important to know that actions of momentary verbs can be described as lasting situations by using “[V-te] iru”.
For those who are unfamiliar with Te-form of verbs;
Sentence 1’s “Sunde” is the Te-form of “Sumu/Sumimasu”, whose Nai-form is “Sumanai”. Since the vowel before “nai” of Nai-form is “a”, the verb “Sumu/Sumimasu” is of Group1. Therefore, the following is applied to get Te-form.
“i/chi/ri=>tte, bi/mi/ni=>nde, ki=>ite, gi=>ide, shi=>shite, and Itte is for Ikimasu”
Since the letter before “masu” of “Su<mi>masu” is “mi”, “mimasu” turns to be “nde”.
Then you get “Sunde” as the Te-form of “Sumu/Sumimasu”.
Sentence 2’s “Shitte” is the Te-form of “Shiru/Shirimasu”, whose Nai-form is “Shiranai”. Since the vowel before “nai” of Nai-form is “a”, the verb “Shiru/Shirimasu” is of Group1. Therefore, the following is applied to get Te-form.
“i/chi/ri=>tte, bi/mi/ni=>nde, ki=>ite, gi=>ide, shi=>shite, and Itte is for Ikimasu”
Since the letter before “masu” of “Shi<ri>masu” is “ri”, “rimasu” turns to be “tte”.
Then you get “Shitte” as the Te-form of “Shiru/Shirimasu”.
Sentence 3’s “KekkonShite” is the Te-form of “KekkonSuru/KekkonShimasu”. Since “Suru/Shimasu” is one of two Group3 verbs. You just need to remember that its Te-form is “Shite”. Then you get “KekkonShite” as the Te-form of “KekkonSuru/KekkonShimasu”.
Note that what is symbolized to be “[V-te] iru” become “Sunde imasu”, “Shitte imasu”, and “KekkonShite imasu”. “iru” is in dictionary form that can also be the short-ending style of a sentence. But the short-ending style using dictionary form is not good for conversation with people. For the sake of shortness, concise expression “iru” is being used in explanation of grammar. In a conversation, “iru” must be “imasu” for politeness. Note that different speech style (speech level) is used when talking about grammar and when talking to people as a real conversation.
This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section 15 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Like yesterday, today’s expression also uses Te-form of verbs.
1. [Verb Clause] tew a Ikemasen = [V-te] wa Ikemasen
If you find someone smoking in public space, what would you do? Giving the person a caution is not recommended because it may end up a trouble. Telling or not, but at least you want to say something in such a situation. It would be “Please do not smoke here.” or such kind of caution. In Japanese ;
2. Koko de Tabako o Sutte wa Ikemasen.
Where;
– koko : Locative pronoun ; here
– de : Particle to indicate a place/location where action is taking place, in the form of “[place/location] de”
– Tabako : noun ; tobacco, cigarette
– o : Particle ; to indicate an object on which action is exerted, in the form of “[object] o”
– Sutte : Te-form of verb “Suu/Suimasu”
– wa Ikemasen : Expression to prohibit someone’s action.
Practice and remember the following conversation. Person A’s utterance is yesterday’s expression, and B’s is today’s.
A : Koko ni Jitensha o Oitemo Iidesuka. (Is it okay to park my bicycle here?)
B : Iie, koko ni Jitensha o Oite wa Ikemasen. (No, you are not allowed to park your bicycle here.)
This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section 15 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Today’s expression also uses Te-form of verbs.
1. [Verb Clause] temo Ii desuka = [V-te] mo Ii desuka
“Ii” is an I-adjective that means “Good/Okay”. In respect of grammar, this is a construction that uses the conjunctive particle “-temo,” which connects phrases adversely. However, “-temo,” as an adverse conjunctive particle will be explained in the section 25 in comparison with a sequential conjunctive particle “-tara,”. At this time, rather than grammar things, focus on functionality of the construction of “1”. “[V-te] mo Ii desuka.” is an expression to ask someone’s permission when you want to do something. Take a look at the examples below;
2. Pasokon de Repooto o Kaitemo Ii desuka. (Is it okay to write a report with a personal computer?)
3. Kono Jisho o Tsukattemo Ii desuka. (Is it okay to use this dictionary?)
4. Koko ni Itemo Ii desuka. (Is it okay to be here?)
For those who don’t know Te-form of verbs;
Sentence 2’s “Kaite” is the Te-form of “Kaku/Kakimasu”. Nai-form is “Kakanai”. Since the vowel before “nai” of Nai-form is “a”, the verb “Kaku/Kakimasu” is of Group1. The letter before “masu” of Masu-form is “ki”. Applying;
“i/chi/ri=>tte, bi/mi/ni=>nde, ki=>ite, gi=>ide, shi=>shite, and Itte is for Ikimasu”,
then you can get “Kaite” as the Te-form of “Kaku/Kakimasu”.
Sentence 3’s “Tsukatte” is the Te-form of “Tsukau/Tsukaimasu”. Nai-form is “Tsukawanai”. Since the vowel before “nai” of Nai-form is “a”, the verb “Tsukau/Tsukaimasu” is of Group1. The letter before “masu” of Masu-form is “i”. Applying;
“i/chi/ri=>tte, bi/mi/ni=>nde, ki=>ite, gi=>ide, shi=>shite, and Itte is for Ikimasu”,
then you can get “Tsukatte” as the Te-form of “Tsukau/Tsukaimasu”.
Sentence 4’s “Ite” is the Te-form of “Iru/Imasu”. Nai-form is “Inai”. Since the vowel before “nai” of Nai-form is “i”, the verb “Iru/Imasu” is of Group2. Replace “masu” with “te” gives you Te-form of Group2 verbs. Then you can get “Ite” as the Te-form of “Iru/Imasu”.
This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section 15 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Today’s expression does use Te-form of verbs. And it is one of most important applications of Te-form of verbs. Most of Japanese verb in original form expresses action in future. There is, of course, a verb form of past tense. So, two major tenses are past and future as shown below;
– Concise style : Taberu (= future tense) / Tabeta (= past tense)
– Polite style : Tabemasu (= future tense) / Tabemashita (= past tense)
where, Taberu means “eat”
Therefore, when expressing action in present, simple conjugation of a verb cannot make it. it needs to add something to a verb. An action that is related to present in terms of tense is expressed by “V-te Iru”. The expression “V-te Iru” has several types such as;
– Action ongoing
– Repetitive action
– Lasting action
– Sustained result of an action
Today, we are learning the first one, “Action ongoing” as an application of “V-te Iru”.
Examples of declarative sentences;
1. Satou-san wa Ima Ban-Gohan o Tsukutte Imasu. (Sato-san is now cooking supper.)
2. Suzuki-san wa Ima Shimbun o Yonde Imasu. (Suzuki-san is now reading a newspaper.)
3. Takahashi-san wa Ima Eigo o Benkyoushite Imasu. (Takahashi-san is now studying English.)
Examples of interrogative sentences;
4. Satou-san wa Ima Nani o Shite Imasuka. (What is Sato-san doing now?)
This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section 14 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Today’s expression doesn’t use Te-form of verbs. Think the expression came from Masu-form and turned to be “Mashouka”. A sentence ending with Masu-form has functions of assertion or strong will, but a sentence ending with “V-mashouka” does have a different function. We have already learned in A5 of the section 6 that a sentence ending with “V-mashou” has function of suggestion. Today’s expression is also a suggestion as well as “V-mashou”, but by putting a final particle “ka”, “V-mashouka” is used when you suggest that you are doing something for a listener.
1. [Verb Clause] + mashouka.
examples;
– Shigoto o Tetsudai mashouka. (Shall I help your task? )
– Eki e Mukae ni Iki mashouka. (Shall I come to the station to meet you?)
This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section 14 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
Today we are going to learn one of expressions that are using Te-form of a verb.
[Verb Clause]te Kudasai. = “V-te Kudasai”
This “V-te Kudasai” has several functions. Actually, it happens in Japanese expressions that one syntax has some slightly different functions. In such a case, you need to decide what that syntax means from the context. Today we learn three functions of “V-te Kudasai”. They are;
– Slightly gentle command
– Request for action
– Caring suggestion
1. Slightly gentle command
example : Kyoukasho o Tonde Kudasai. (Read the textbook.)
2. Request for action
example : Sumimasenga, Juusho o Oshiete Kudasai. (Excuse me, please tell me your address.)
3. Caring suggestion
example : Douzo Ie de Yasunde Kudasai. (Please take a rest at your home.)
This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section 14 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
This lengthy post is going to tell you a kind of experimental method to get Te-form of Japanese verbs.
We learned how to convert a verb from Masu-form to Te-form two days ago. To put it simply, the method is as follows:
Step1. Determine whether the verb is Group2 or Group1
Step2. In the case of Group1, check the letter just before “masu”
Step3. Apply “I/Chi/Ri=>tte, Bi/Mi/Ni=>nde, Ki=>ite, Gi=>ide, Shi=>shite”
If you apply this method, the only exception* happens for the verb “Iku/Ikimasu”, which basically means “go” in English.
How is “Iku/Ikimasu” exceptional? Let us examine;
Step1. Determine whether the verb is Group2 or Group1
This determination uses “Nai-form”. The Nai-form of “Iku/Ikimasu” is “Ikanai”.
– If the vowel before “nai” is “i” or “e”, the verb is a Group2 verb.
– If the vowel before “nai” is “a”, the verb is a Group1 verb.
Nai-form “Ik<a>nai” tells you that “Iku/Ikimasu” is a Group1 verb.
Step2. In the case of Group1, check the letter just before “masu”
Masu-form is “I<ki>masu”. Therefore, the letter “ki” is important to know what the Te-form of “Iku/Ikimasu”. Note that “ki” is two letters in alphabet, but “ki” is one letter “き” in Japanese.
Step3. Apply “I/Chi/Ri=>tte, Bi/Mi/Ni=>nde, Ki=>ite, Gi=>ide, Shi=>shite”
Since the letter just before “masu” is “ki”, Te-form of “Iku/Ikimasu” might be as below, by replacing “ki” by “ite”;
Ikimasu (in Masu-form ) + ite => Iki + ite (“ite” is substituted into “ki”) => Iite
BUT, Te-form “Iite” for “Iku/Ikimasu” is wrong. It must be “Itte”. Therefore, Itte as Te-form of “Iku/Ikimasu” is the exception, even though “Iku/Ikimasu” is a Group1 verb.
How do you feel about the method from Step1 through Step3 above? Probably Step1 is incomprehensible for most of Japanese learners. Why Step1 is necessary? Why Nai-form is used for determination? What is the meaning of focusing on the vowels in front of “nai”? Learners neither understand nor master the method in most cases.
So, from here, an experimental kind of things starts. As a method to get Te-form from Masu-form, how about omitting the Step1. If you did Step1, and then Step2 and Step3, the only exception is “Iku/Ikimasu”*. It is expected, if you skip Step1 and start from Step2, exceptions may increase. The number of exceptions is acceptable? Let us think about it; If you skip the Step1, the method will be as the followings;
If the letter before “masu” of Masu-form is one of { i, chi, ri, bi, mi, ni, ki, gi, or shi }, apply;
i/chi/ri=>tte, bi/mi/ni=>nde, ki=>ite, gi=>ide, shi=>shite, and Itte for Ikimasu
The followings are exceptions that you cannot obtain the right Te-form from this method;
[ i =>tte ]
– Kuimasu (悔います) i=> Kutte is Wrong, Kuite is Right because Kuiru/Kuimasu is Group2.
[ chi =>tte ]
– Kuchimasu (朽ちます) chi=> Kutte is Wrong, Kuchite is Right because Kuchiru/Kuchimasu is Group2
– Michiru (満ちます) chi=> Mitte is Wrong, Michite is Right because Michiru/Michimasu is Group2.
[ ri => tte ]
– Karimasu (借ります) ri=> Katte is Wrong, Karite is Right because Kariru/Karimasu is Group2.
– Korimasu (懲ります) ri=> Kotte is Wrong, Korite is Right because Koriru/Korimasu is Group2. Be careful for Koru(凝る/凝ります) whose te-form is Kotte,
[ bi => nde ]
– Abimasu (浴びます) bi=> Ande is Wrong, Abite is Right because Abiru/Abimasu is Group2.
– Obimasu (帯びます) bi=> Onde is Wrong, Obite is Right because Obiru/Obimasu is Group2.
– Kobimasu (媚びます) bi=> Konde is Wrong, Kobite is Right because Kobiru/Kobimasu is Group2.
– Sabimasu (錆びます) bi=> Sande is Wrong, Sabite is Right because Sabiru/Sabimasu is Group2.
– Nobimasu (伸びます／延びます) bi=> Nonde is Wrong, Nobite is Right because Nobiru/Nobimasu is Group2.
– Wabimasu (詫びます) bi=> Wande is Wrong, Wabite is Right because Wabiru/Wabimasu is Group2.
[ mi => nde ]
– Shimimasu (染みます) mi=> Shinde is Wrong, Shimite is Right because Shimiru/Shimimasu is Group2.
[ ni => nde ]
– Nimasu (煮ます) ni=> Nde is Wrong, Nite is Right because Niru/Nimasu is Group2. Note that Niru(似る)/Nimasu(似ます) also takes “Nite” for Te-form.
[ ki => ite ]
– Akimasu (飽きます) ki=> Aite is Wrong, Akite is Right because Akiru/Akimasu is Group2. Be careful for Aku/Akimasu(開く/開きます)，because its Te-form is “Aite”
– Ikimasu (生きます) ki=> Iite is Wrong, Ikite is Right because Ikiru/Ikimasu is Group2. Be careful that Te-form of Iku/Ikimasu(行く/行きます) is “Itte”
– Okimasu (起きます) ki=> Oite is Wrong, Okite is Right because Okiru/Okimasu is Group2. Be careful for Oku/Okimasu(置く/置きます), because its Te-form is “Oite”.
[ gi => ide ]
– Sugimasu (過ぎます) gi=> Suide is Wrong, Sugite is Right because Sugiru/Sugimasu is Group2.
These are what I found for exceptions when omitting the Step1 to convert a verb from Masu-form to Te-form. I guess exceptions are not limited to the above, there should be more. Do you think it is okay to treat them as exceptions? Is the number acceptable? Probably not.
Therefore, if we discuss the method to get Te-form of a verb, Step1 is necessary. The step1 is to distinguish Group1 verbs and Group2 verbs. Then, the next question is whether or not that All the Japanese language schools really teach the Step1 when they introduce “i/chi/ri=>tte, bi/mi/ni=>nde, ki=>ite, gi=>ide, shi=>shite, and Itte for Ikimasu”. I am not sure, or, I don’t think so. I think there are two ways to learn how to make Te-forms of Japanese verbs.
– 1: Knowing the Step1 through 3 first, and then applying these to get Te-forms.
– 2: Make you exposed a lot of Japanese, and you remember Te-form of each verb.
Perhaps 1 is a kind of deductive way, and 2 is inductive way. In the realm of second language learning, deductive or inductive things are always an important issue. We have looked through the steps to get Te-form, and now know that those steps are complicated and cumbersome. So, when it comes to get Te-form, the inductive way would be better for most of Japanese learners. But just in case, some learner likes the elaborate method of “ichiri=>tte, bimini=>nde, ——”. I hope this long post may be helpful for someone.
* “Iku/Ikimasu” is not the only exception actually. For example, the Te-form of “Tou/Toimasu(問う/問います)” which is a Group1 verb is not “totte” but “toute”. But this is unnecessary knowledge for beginner’s level.
If I took pictures today, it would have been more beautiful because the sky was clear today. But I had been working on my field.
Yesterday, Te-form of verbs was introduced. A verb in Te-form can be followed by another conjugating word (often a verb). Actually, “Masu-form without masu” can also be followed by another conjugating word. But anyway, it is important to know that there are two patterns of conjugation in Japanese; one is for being placed in front of a noun, the other is for being placed in front of another conjugating word. Te-form is the latter.
And have you found in yesterday’s post that there were groupings for verbs, which were called “Group1”, “Group2”, and “Group3”? Their definitions are as below;
Suppose there is one Japanese verb, and you want to know what group the verb is. Make “Nai-form” of that verb. And check the vowel just in front of “nai”.
– The vowel in front of “nai” is “a”, then the verb is a Group1 verb.
– The vowel in front of “nai” is “i” or “e”, then the verb is a Group2 verb.
– Verbs in Group3 are irregular verbs. They are Kuru/Kimasu and Suru/Shimasu.
Let us examine the verbs that appeared yesterday’s post as to these groupings;
– Imasu (in Masu-form) => Inai (in Nai-form); The vowel in front of “nai” is “i” => Group2
– Nemasu => Nenai; The vowel in front of “nai” is “e” => Group2
– Kimasu => Group3
– Shimasu => Group3
– Tsukaimasu => Tsukawanai; The vowel in front of “nai” is “a” => Group1
– Kakimasu => Kakanai; “a”+ “nai” => Group1
– Ikimasu => Ikanai; “a”+ “nai” => Group1
– Isogimasu => Isoganai; “a”+ “nai” => Group1
– Hanashimasu => Hanasanai; “a”+ “nai” => Group1
– Machimasu => Matanai; “a”+ “nai” => Group1
– Tobimasu => Tobanai; “a”+ “nai” => Group1
– Yomimasu => Yomanai; “a”+ “nai” => Group1
– Tsukurimasu => Tsukuranai; “a”+ “nai” => Group1
Once you have got to know which group the verb is, you can convert the verb from Masu-form to Te-form through the following procedure;
< Te-forms of Group2 and Group3 Verbs >
[Masu-form without masu] + te
examples — [Masu-form], [Masu-form without masu] + te, and Te-Form
– Imasu, I+te, Ite
– Nemasu, Ne+te, Nete
– Kimasu, Ki+te, Kite
– Shimasu, Shi+te, Shite
< Te-forms of Group1 Verbs >
SPECIAL ONE: Ikimasu => Itte
OTHER THAN Ikimasu
Check the letter just before “masu”
– i+masu/chi+masu/ri+masu => tte
— imasu => tte
example : Tsukaimasu => Tsuka+imasu => Tsukatte
— chimasu => tte
example : Machimasu => Ma+chimasu => Matte
— rimasu => tte
example : Tsukurimasu => Tsuku+rimasu=> Tsukutte
– bi+masu/mi+masu/ni+masu => nde
— bimasu => nde
example : Tobimasu => To+bimasu => Tonde
— mimasu => nde
example : Yomimasu => Yo+mimasu => Yonde
— nimasu => nde
example : Shinimasu => Shi+nimasu => Shinde
– ki+masu => ite
example : Kakimasu => Ka-kimasu => Kaite
– gi+masu => ide
example : Isogimasu => Iso-gimasu => Isoide
– shi+masu => shite
example : Hanashimasu => Hana+shimasu => Hanashite
TODAY’S SUMMARY
When you convert a verb from Masu-form to Te-form;
Group2 and Group3 verbs; Take place of “masu” by “te”
Group1 verbs;
– Ikimasu is an exception, its Te-form is “Itte”
– Check the letter before “masu”
— i/chi/ri => tte
— bi/mi/ni => nde
— ki => ite
— gi => ide
— shi => shite
It is essential for Japanese learners to be able to convert any Japanese verbs into Te-form.
Agony or Fun?! Second Language Learning 