Pinkie :ふぁ〜 = Fahh… (Yawning sound)
「毎日、遊んでは寝て、遊んでは寝て…もう最高！」
= Mainichi, asonde wa nete, asonde wa nete…mou saikou!
= I spend every day playing and sleeping and playing again and going back to sleep. What a life!
Cookie「もう少し、日本語の勉強、がんばらなくてはいけませんよ。」
= Mousukoshi, nihongo no benkyou, ganbaranakute wa ikemasen yo.
= You have to try a little harder to study Japanese, OK?
Hi everyone!
It has been a long time.
We have our guest teachers, Pinkie Sensei and Cookie Sensei, from France today.
*****
Bonjour! We are Pinkie and Cookie.
We are going to teach you how to use ては ( = tewa) today. One of Maggie Sensei’s Twitter followers told her that he couldn’t find a lesson anywhere on the Internet.
Let’s see if we can fix that!
1) Describing some repetitive situations/actions.
* When you do two or more actions (they could be unrelated or opposite actions) repeatedly or describe some situations that happen repeatedly
★How to form:
verb te-form Vて ( = te) + は ( = wa) + verb masu-stem
( + verb te-form Vて ( = te) + は ( = wa) + verb masu-stem / dictionary form)
For example, when you turn on the TV and turn it off, you say:
テレビをつける = terebi wo tsukeru = turn on the TV
+
* テレビを消す = terebi wo kesu = turn off the TV.
→テレビをつけて消す
= terebi wo tsukete kesu.
= turn the TV on and off.
But if you keep turning the TV on and off repeatedly, you would say:
テレビをつけては消し、つけては消し…(continue the sentence)
= terebi wo tsukete wa keshi, tsukete wa keshi…
or
テレビをつけては消す
= Terebi wo tsukete wa kesu.
!MEMO! Structure:
1. You change the first verb to te-form and add は ( = wa)
つける ( = tsukeru ) →つけて ( = tsukete) + は ( = wa)
→つけては ( = tsukete wa)
2. The second verb can be
(1) use the dictionary form 消す ( = kesu)
→つけては消す = tsukete wa kesu
or
(2) use the masu-stem 消し( = keshi)
→つけては消し = tsukete wa keshi
depending on the sentence / what to modify / the context/writer’s style.
Ex. テレビをつけては消し…(continue the sentence)
= terebi wo tsuketewa keshi
= turn on and off the TV repeatedly
3. You sometimes repeat the same sentence twice to emphasize the repetitions.
* テレビをつけては消し、つけては消し(continue the sentence)
= terebi wo tsukete wa keshi, tsukete wa keshi
It is similar to たり( = tari) and a lot of times, you can rephrase it with たり ( = tari)
テレビをつけたり消したり (continue the sentence)
= terebi wo tsuke tari keshi tari
Click here to check out my lesson on たり ( = tari)
In that lesson, you’ll see the phrase:
*「休日は、食べたり寝たりして過ごしています。」
= Kyuujitsu wa, tabe tari ne tari shite sugoshite imasu.
= I spend my days off eating, sleeping, etc.
While たり ( = tari) gives some examples what you do on your days off, eating, sleeping etc.
ては ( = tewa) stresses one’s repetitive actions/situations.
When you describe your ongoing life as nothing but eating and sleeping,
Ex. 食べては寝て食べては寝ての生活
= tabete wa nete tabete wa nete no seikatsu.
= the life of nothing but eating and sleeping.
*You can just say 寝 ( = ne) instead of 寝て( = nete)
or just say it once.
(with te-form)
→ 食べては寝ての生活
= Tabete wa nete no seikatsu.
(with a dictionary form)
→ 食べては寝る生活
= Tabete wa neru seikatsu.
(with masu-stem)
→ 食べては寝の生活
= Tabete wa ne no seikatsu
Note: In conversation, you say
Ex. 食っちゃ寝、食っちゃ寝の生活
= Kuccha ne, kuccha ne no seikatsu
Ex.食っちゃ寝の生活
= Kuccha ne no seikatsu
Note:
1) Casual contraction:
*ては ( = tewa) →ちゃ ( = cha) / では ( = dewa) → じゃ ( = ja)
2) 食う ( = kuu) is a male speech of 食べる ( = taberu), to eat .
Though it is considered to be rough, you often hear it colloquial conversation.
Ex. 雨が降ってはやんで (降ってはやんで)の日が続いている。
= Ame ga futte wa yande (futte wa yande) no hi ga tsuzuite iru.
= It has been raining on and off every day.
(* You can rephrase it with たり ( = tari) 降ったりやんだり ( = futtari yandari) )
Ex. 私達はくっついては別れ (くっついては別れて)の繰り返しだ。
= Watashitachi wa kuttsuite wa wakare (kuttsuite wa wakarete ) no kurikaeshi da.
= We get together (or date) and break up repeatedly.
The order is different in this translation but it basically means
= We always breaking up and getting back together again/Our relationship is always on and off.
Ex. 彼への気持ちを書いては消し、(書いては消し..) 結局、メールを出さなかった。
= Kare e no kimochi wo kaite wa keshi, (kaite wa keshi) , kekkyoku, meeru wo dasanakatta.
= I wrote my feelings towards him and then erased it and wrote again and erased again….I ended up not sending him an email.
Ex. 波が、寄せては返す。
= Nami ga, yosete wa kaesu.
= The waves come and go. (repeatedly)
2) Whenever something happens / someone does something ~ (repeated situation/ habitual situation)
★ How to form:
Verb te-form Vて ( = te) + は ( = wa)
Note: In this usage, you don’t repeat ては ( = tewa) twice.
If, for example, a baby saw my face and smiled and it just happened once, you say:
Ex. 赤ちゃんは私の顔を見て笑った。
= Akachan wa watashi no kao wo mite waratta.
= The baby smiled when she/he saw my face.
If the baby looked at my face and smiled and looked at my face and smiled…and it went on and on, you use ては ( = tewa)
Ex. 赤ちゃんは私の顔を見ては笑っていた。
= Akachan wa watashi no kao wo mite wa waratte ita.
= All the baby does is to look at my face and smile.
Ex. 子犬は、ボールを口にくわえて持ってきては遊んでくれとせがむ。
= Koinu wa, booru wo kuchi ni kuwaete motte kite wa asonde kureto segamu.
= The puppy keeps coming to me with a ball in his/her mouth and begging me to play with him/her.
Ex. 妻にお小遣いを増やしてと頼んでは怒られています。*
= Tsuma ni okozukai wo fuyashiteto tanonde wa okorarete imasu.
= Whenever I ask my wife to increase my allowance, she gets mad at me.
Note:
1) * 怒られる ( = okorareru ) is a passive form but it will be more natural to translate it this way in English.
2) This is something cultural. In many if not most Japanese homes, wives control 家計 ( = kakei), the household finances which means many husbands hand over their entire salary to their wives, and their wives in tureen give them an allowance of pocket money for the month.
Ex. 彼は日本に来ては、お土産でスーツケースをいっぱいにして国に帰る。
= Kare wa nihon ni kite wa, omiyage de suutsu keesu wo ippai ni shite kuni ni kaeru.
= Whenever he comes to Japan / He often comes to Japan and goes back to his country with his suitcase filled with gifts.
Ex. ゆかりは、夜中に起きては冷蔵庫を開けて何か食べている。
= Yukari wa, yonaka ni okite wa reizouko wo akete nanika tabete iru.
= Yukari always gets up in the middle of the night, opens the refrigerator and eats something.
3) If /because ~ + unfavorable result / to give one’s negative comments or express one’s negative opinion towards the topics.
🔹 How to form:
* verb te-form Vて ( = te) + は ( = wa)
* i – adjective Aく( = ku) ＋ては ( = tewa)
* na-adjective A～い ( = i) + では (dewa)
* noun + では ( = dewa)
Note: It is similar to たら ( = tara) but while たら ( = tara) can be used in a positive, neutral or negative meaning, ては ( = tewa) is used in a negative meaning.
Ex. 忙しい時に、仕事を休まれては困ります。
= Isogashii toki ni, shigoto wo yasumarete wa komarimasu.
= It will be a problem if you skip work when we are busy.
Ex. そんなに食べては、お腹をこわすよ。(casual)
= Sonna ni tabetewa onaka wo kowasu yo.
= If you eat that much, you will have a stomach ache.
Ex. 子供ではこのゲームは無理です。
= Kodomo dewa kono geemu wa muri desu.
= This game is impossible for children (to play).
Ex. こんなに高くては売り物になりません。
= Konna ni takakute wa urimono ni narimasen.
(Literal meaning: If it is this expensive, it won’t be sold.)
= This is too expensive (to sell). or Nobody is going to buy it at that price.
Ex. 仕事未経験では雇えません。
= Shigoto mikeiken dewa yatoemasen.
= We can’t hire you if/because you have no work experiences.
Ex. 彼が相手では勝てるわけがない。
= Kare ga aite dewa kateru wake ga nai.
(literal meaning) If my contender is him, there is no way to win.
= There is no way to beat him.
From an old saying
Ex. 急いては事を仕損じる
= Seite wa koto wo shisonjiru
= If you hurry so much, you will make your work fail.
= Haste makes waste
When someone gives you a lot of gifts/money, etc.
Ex. そんなにいただいては申し訳ないです。
= Sonna ni itadaite wa moushiwake nai desu.
(Literal meaning) I would feel really bad if you give me that much.
= I can’t accept this. This is too much.
📝 Cultural Note:
This is not actually an unfavorable event or negative comment but Japanese people say “sorry” when they show their appreciation.
Or we even say:
Ex. そんなにいただいては、困ります。
= Sonnani itadaite wa, komarimasu.
(Literal meaning) I would be in trouble if I received this much. / I feel bad that I receive this much.
= This is too much. (But thank you!)
4) When you give advice/suggestions: Why don’t you ~? / How about doing something?
Ex. この仕事、彼に任せてはいかがでしょう？
= Kono shigoto, kare ni makasete wa ikaga deshouka?
= How about leaving this work to him?
Note: You can say たら ( = tara). たら ( = tara) is slightly more casual and conversational.
→ 彼に任せたらどう？
= Kare ni makasetara dou?
= Why don’t you leave it to him?
Ex. 私の言葉を、信じてはいただけませんか？
= Watshi no kotoba wo shinjitewa itadakemasenka?
= Won’t you trust my words?
You can also just say
→私の言葉を信じていただけませんか？
= Watashi no kotoba wo shinjite itadakemasenka
It sounds more straightforward.
You can stress what comes before は ( = wa) more in a subtle way.
You sometimes leave the sentence unfinished on purpose so that you can avoid being too straight. The listener can read between the lines.
Ex. もう彼のこと、許してやっては…. (どうでしょうか）
= Mou kare no koto, yurushite yattewa…(dou de shouka)
= I wonder if you could forgive him already. (How about forging him already..)
5) Though you can’t expect good results, you will give it a try anyway.
For example, if you express your full commitment to studying Japanese, you say
がんばります。
= Ganbarimasu.
= I will do my best.
But if you are not confident but you want to express at least you will try, you say:
がんばっては、みます。
= Ganbatte wa, mimasu.
= At least I will give it a try.
Ex. 難しいかもしれませんが、上司にこの件について話しては、みます。
= Muzukashii kamo shiremasen ga, joushi ni kono ken ni tsuite hanashite wa, mimasu.
= It might be difficult but I will at least give it a try and tell my boss about this matter.
***
★ Vては ( = tewa) + いられない ( = irarenai): can’t do something/ can’t keep some state/ It is not the time to do something because there is more important thing to do.
Ex. 明日は試験だから、ゲームで遊んではいられない。
= Ashita wa shiken dakara, geemu de asonde wa irarenai.
= I have exams tomorrow so there is no time to play a game now.
Ex. いつまでもくよくよしてはいられない。
= Itsumademo kuyokuyo shitewa irarenai.
= I can’t keep worrying about it anymore.
★ Vない ( = nai) + では ( = dewa) + いられない ( = irarenai) : can’t help doing something
Ex. 何か彼女のためにしないではいられない。
= Nanika kanojo no tame ni shinai dewa irarenai.
= I can’t help doing something for her.
You can also say せずにはいられない ( = sezu ni wa irarenai)
Note: Check my ずに ( = zuni) + ないで ( = naide) lesson for more details.
★Vては ( = tewa) + いけません ( = ikemasen) /(more conversational) だめ ( = dame)
1) When you prohibit something: Don’t / You must not
(Casual contraction) ては ( = tewa)
→ちゃ ( = cha) ／では ( = dewa) →じゃ ( = ja)
Ex. ここに落書きしてはいけません。
= Koko ni rakugaki shitewa ikemasen.
= Do not write scribble here.
Ex. コンサート中は携帯(電話）を使ってはいけません。
= Konsaato chuu wa keitai (denwa) wo tsukatte wa ikemasen.
= You must not use your cell phone during the concert.
Ex. 廊下を走ってはいけません。
= Rouka wo hashitte wa ikemasen.
= You must not run in the hallway.
Ex. 知らない人について行ってはだめだよ。
= Shiranai hito ni tsuite itte wa dame dayo.
= Do not follow strangers, OK?
(Casual speech: ついて行っちゃ = tsuite iccha)
Ex. どうして彼にあのことを言ってはいけないの？
= Doushite kare ni anokoto wo itte wa ikenai no?
= How come I can’t tell him about it?
→(more conversational)
どうして彼にあのこと、言っちゃだめなの？
= Doushite kare ni anokoto, iccha dame nano?
Ex. あまり飲み過ぎてはいけませんよ。
= Amari nomisugitewa ikemasen yo.
= Don’t drink too much, OK?
→(more conversational)
あまり飲み過ぎちゃだめだよ。
= Amari nomisugicha dame dayo.
2) When you have to do something./ When you are obliged to do something:
Vなくては ( = naku tewa) + いけません ( = ikemasen) / なりません ( = narimasen) / (more conversational) だめ ( = dame) + ( です ( = desu) )
Note: なりません ( = narimasen) is more formal, literal / You tend to use it when you are talking about one’s duty.
Casual contraction: ちゃ ( = cha) / じゃ ( = ja) / きゃ ( = kya)
Ex. 法律は守らなくてはいけません。/ なりません。
= Houritsu wa mamoranakute wa ikemasen. / narimasen.
= We must obey the law.
Ex. 家に帰って宿題をしなくてはいけない。
= Ie ni kaette shukudai wo shinakute wa ikenai.
= I have to go home and do my homework.
→casual contraction
宿題をしなくちゃいけない
= shukudai wo shinakucha ikenai
or
宿題をしなきゃいけない
= shukudai wo shinakya ikenai.
Note: Check my なきゃ & なくちゃ (= nakya & nakucha) lesson for more details.
3) Asking for a permission/favor
Ex. 私の気持ち、わかってはいただけませんか？
= Watashi no kimochi, wakatte wa itadakemasenka?
= Is it too much to ask to understand my feelings?
Ex. 余った料理を家に持ち帰ってはいけませんか？
= Amatta ryouri wo ie ni mochikaette wa ikemasen ka?
= Can I take the leftover food home?
Ex. もう帰ってはいけませんか？
= Mou kaette wa ikemasen ka?
= Can we (or I) go home now?
📝 Note: When you ask for permission, you also use ても ( = temo)
It also depends on the intonation but usually, ては ( = tewa) sounds more modest.
→持ち帰ってもいいですか
= Mochikaette mo ii desu ka?
= Can I bring it back home?
→もう帰ってもいいですか？
= Mou kaette mo ii desu ka?
= Can I go home now?
You can’t give permission with ては ( = tewa)
もう帰ってもいいです。
= Mou kaette mo iidesu.
= You may go home now.
X もう帰ってはいいです。(wrong)
= Mou kaettewa iidesu.
Check my How to use ても ( = temo) lesson for more details.
***
マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei
ピンキー先生、クッキー先生ありがとう！
= Pinkii Sensei, Cookie Sensei arigatou!
= Merci beaucoup, Pinkie and Cookie!
私も、新しいレッスンを作ろうと思っては、昼寝して….の日々でした。
= Watashi mo, atarashii ressun wo tsukurou to omotte wa, hirune shite.. no hibi deshita.
= I often thought of making a new lesson and then took a nap after and days just went by.
****
Could you be my Patron?
I appreciate your support! サポートありがとう！
86 Comments
Can では be used to mean ”if”?
それだけでは寂しいじゃない？
”If it’s just that, wouldn’t you feel lonely?”
Yes, では is used to mean “if”
I explained in the usage 3) in this lesson
それだけでは寂しいじゃない？
Right. Your translation works in this case, If it’s just that, wouldn’t you feel lonely?
But the literal translation is
Wouldn’t you feel lonely just with that?
So this で actually means “with”
Tシャツだけでは寒い
It’s cold just with a T-shirt. (just wearing a T-shirt)
→(You can interpret this with conditional, if →If it is just with a T-shirt, it will be cold.
However, if you use the past tense,
Tシャツだけでは寒かった (past tense)
I felt cold just with a cold.
It doesn’t have a meaning of “if”.
Whoops, my bad for commenting a bit too quick hahah.
I see, how come the literal translation is ”with just that” ? would it mean that it kind of show that the choice of ”with that” would make them feel lonely? Kind of like それでいい (fine with that (choice,thing etc)
For context, the person tried to invite someone to a date ”デ…デデ”but instead said 出稽古 and finds herself saying ”それだけでは寂しいじゃない？” afterwards to herself
Oh and forgot to ask as well
In this sentence does the で indicate condition/situation?
だから２人がライバル関係では絶対嫌だろうなって
[ライバル関係で] ”In a rival relationship”
Here I am a bit unsure though…
頑張るだけではダメなんです
頑張るだけではダメなんです
”Can’t just not do one’s best (cause I must do something else aswell)” was my understanding but the だけで is confusing me.. Maybe I am just overthinking it?
~関係で
This で describes the state/condition/situation
頑張るだけで
Vだけで = just doing something
Just working hard (is not enough)
FYI I also have a lesson on で (Link is here.)
Marco
で can describe the state/condition
And the English translation could be if (if you are talking about the condition) or if you simply describe the state, it could be “with”
I still don’t know the context but in that case you can rephrase it
出稽古だけでは寂しいんじゃない？
Wouldn’t you feel lonely just doing something (in this case 出稽古）
I see so if 関係で would describe the state then directly would it translate to this?:
”２人がライバル関係では絶対嫌だ”
”I certainly don’t like it when they are ( in the condition/situation of being) in a rival relationship”
”出稽古だけでは寂しいんじゃない？”
”Just going out to practice is lonely in itself isn’t it?”
”それだけでは寂しいじゃない？”
And if the state isn’t apparent:
”Just with this condition/situation wouldn’t it feel lonely?”
Essentially: ”With X condition I feel Y”
And sorry for asking so much but could you give me 2 example sentences where you use the
”if you are talking about the condition”
and
” ”with” to describe the state” ?
With a direct translation and explanation? I’m going to add these as Anki cards afterwards to be able to firmly grasp the concept. Been stuck on it for a while and have had issues finding any resources about it
I think your interpretation (translation) is right.
About “talking about the condition” and “describing the state,” as I mentioned in my T-shirt examples, it depends on the context and how you interpret the sentences.
For example:
おにぎり一個だけではお腹がすく。
You can translate this as
“I will be hungry with just one onigiri.”
You can also interpret this as
“If you just eat one onigiri, you will be hungry.”
If you want more, check this lesson
I wrote a few example sentences of だけでは just doing something
I think it is starting to make sense….
”With(At/By/Under/In/As) X condition Y applies”
Thanks for the reply!
You’re welcome!
There are many uses of で(では/だけでは）, but I hope this clears up some of your doubts.
I think I cracked it:
ライバル関係で/は絶対嫌だろうなって
being [in] a rival relationship is the condition
おにぎり一個だけで/はお腹がすく。
Just [with] one onigiri is the condition
それだけで
Just [with] this is the condition
頑張るだけではダメなんです
Just [by] doing one’s best is the condition (which is not good enough)
I am really sorry for the amount of replies I gave.. I’ve had long covid and it seems like I lost so much of my language knowledge from it… Got kinda desperate trying to figure out if I was right. But as a last message/reply could you tell me if I am on the right track with my understanding here?
Hi Marco
I think you figured them out. Good job!
Just, you wrote で/は in the first two sentences. では is more natural in those example sentences.
Hi Maggie先生！
I often heard this ては used in songs and always struggled to translate it, so finding this old lesson was a lifesaver!
I have something I want clarified:
I know that ては contracts to ちゃ and では contracts to じゃ.
However, we only use these contractions with usage 3 (describing an unfavorable result)
触れてはダメ –> 触れちゃだめ ✓
子供では無理 –> 子供じゃ無理 ✓
and usage 1 (repetitive actions),
食べては寝の生活 –> 食べちゃ寝の生活 ✓
彼はテレビをつけては消す –> 彼はテレビをつけちゃ消す ✓
right?
Am I right in assuming that these contractions can’t be used with usage 2 (whenever ~) or usage 4 (giving suggestions)
日本に来ては○○する –> 日本に来ちゃ○○する ✗
彼に任せてはどうですか –> 彼に任せちゃどうですか ✗
Thank you!
♡Sora
Hi Sora,
Yes, you can change ては・では →ちゃ・じゃ in all your example sentences including the last two.
And of course, they are all very casual. 😉
Thank you!!
Anytime! :)
Hello Maggie Sensei,
体が調子が悪くては
a. 仕事が進まないだろう
b. 仕事を休んでもいいよ
Can I ask why is a correct and b wrong?
Thx in advance
Hello again Mark
If the sentence is
体がの調子が悪かったら (reason) → b 仕事を休んでもいいよ works.
The following sentence of くては is usually
〜くては + can’t do something/it won’t work ~/
Hi, Maggie Sensei!
Regarding 3) specifically.
3) If /because ~ + unfavorable result / to give one’s negative comments or express one’s negative opinion towards the topics.
verb te-form Vて ( = te) + は ( = wa).
If I wanted to say, “If I don’t make this video, I’ll be in trouble.”
Can I say 「動画を作らなくては困ります。」
Or does this grammar point ONLY work with the positive tense? Would I have to say,「動画をパスしては困ります」?
ありがとうございます！
Hiクリシュナ
You can say 「動画を作らなくては困ります。」 but for that particular sentence, it will sound more natural if you separate the subject.the one who make a video and the one who gets in trouble.
Ex. If you don’t make a video, I will be in trouble.
I don’t exactly understand what you meant by パス but you can use it in an affirmative form.
動画を作っては困ります。 Again, the subject should be different. If you make a video, I will be in trouble.
Thank you so much, Maggie Sensei!!
Would this sentence also apply to the same #3 grammar point?
「不本意*では*あるが
誠に遺憾だが
愛しの布団を去って
トイレに行かなくちゃ。」
Why was では used and not just は？
I seem to have a lot of trouble with this particle, すみません！
P.S. The sentence is from this HILARIOUS mini music video called 「布団の中から出たくない。」Please give it a watch if you have time!
Ah OK, ではあるが means “Though/Even though/But”
noun/na-adjective + だ （不本意だ）
→noun/na-adjective + である （不本意である）
→You add the meaning “Though it is against my will” 不本意だが・不本意であるが
Ahhhhhh, 分かりました！ And the は shows that 「不本意」is the subject of the phrase.
Thank you so much, maggie 先生！
質問に答えてくれてありがとうございます！
どういたしまして❤️
Is this the same as when では is attach to まま?. Shows unfavourable results?
Yes, it is the same usage as ~てはいけない
このままではいけない。
unfavorable results
このままではだめになってしまう。
このままでは試験に落ちてしまう。
質問を答えてくれてありがとう先生:)
に答えて*
どういたしまして❤️
Hello Maggie! Is the following part correct when using TEWA for a similar use to TARA?
na-adjective A～い ( = i) + では (dewa)
It seems weird that we put I after a NA adjective so I just want to make sure. Thanks a lot for your work in this blog, it’s amazing!
Hi Diego,
You mean the usage of suggesting/giving some advice?
As I explained
You can use both Verb+ ては or Verb+たら
Why don’t you do something?
This usage works with verbs not with adjectives.
Hello Maggie-sensei, does Vてはいけません falls under usage 5) Though you can’t expect good results, you will give it a try anyway.?
Because together with Vてはいられない and Vないではいられない, you listed them right below usage 5. But their usages seem to be slightly different from 5 especially Vてはいけませ which can mean prohibition/obligation/permission.
Hi Chang
No, they are different. (I added another line to separate them.)
Maggie-sensei, thank you. I have a few more questions regarding this lesson if you could help to answer.
In one of your example sentences, there is a 彼への気持ちを書いては消し、(書いては消し..) 結局、メールを出さなかった. 消し is 連用形 if I remember correctly. Is using this form only for writing or can it be used for conversation as well? I was taught to use て form when joining sentences so the above would become something like 彼への気持ちを書いては消して、結局、メールを出さなかった.
I guess you could say 彼への気持ちを書いては消して、結局、メールを出さなかった. but in conversation,I would say
書いては消したりして結局メールを出さなかった。
I would like to ask can の be attached directly after te-form of a verb like in your example 食べては寝ての生活? I came across a few other examples like 知っての通りbut I have never learnt this grammar in school nor able to find explanation on the internet.
Hello Chang,
technically, if you want to combine a verb with noun you can use:
1) 動詞＋て形＋の助詞＋名詞 or
2) 動詞＋る／た／ている形＋名詞
I believe the meaning between 1) and 2) will be the same, and also 1) and 2) are interchangeable.
EX)
知っている通り＝知っての通り
長い時間をかけての食事＝長い時間をかけた食事
Aに対してのB ＝Aに対するB
Maggie, is there any difference between 1) and 2)?
@天人
Thank you for helping Chang
Besides the set phrase such as 知っての通り／見ての通り, 2) is much more common and 1) is a little more formal.
Also when you use a verbて+の+noun,
a) 長い時間をかけての食事
b) 長い時間をかけた食事
a) involves more emotion. It took a long time to cook this food.
Thanks Maggie, that’s what I also felt about 動詞＋て形＋の助詞＋名詞 pattern.
Another 日本語謎 solved!
✌(╹◡╹)✌
Hello Sensei, thanks for the great lesson! 😁 I might have spotted a mistake: in the sentence 波が寄せて返す、shouldn’t it be 返る?
Hi Davide
Good question! 波が寄せて返す is an expression and 返す here means “波が返ること”.
返す is usually used as a transitive verb, “to return something, to give something back” but there are some expressions that you use as an intransitive verb which means “返る = to return”
なるほど！ありがとうございます先生！
U^ェ^U 💕
@天人 thanks for the info. i assume u r also a japanese learner? did u learn 1) 動詞＋て形＋の助詞＋名詞 from school or any japanese language books because i have only learnt 2) 動詞＋る／た／ている形＋名詞 which is 名詞修飾.
＠Chang,
your assumption is correct. I came across this pattern in the past (probably playing some Japanese RPGs) and made some recherché about it, because it was a very interesting and rare one. I had no Japanese at school. Maggie is my first and my best Teacher <3
@天人 in that case, when you first came across it, did you managed to find any explanation for it? i tried googling but just can’t find any reference whether for foreign learners nor native japanese
Hello, I got problem translating this sentence 「追いかけては来ないでしょう」
From this song https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/izone/buenosaires.html
Does this 「追いかけては来ない」match with ては’s 3rd usage ? (3) If /because ~ + unfavorable result / to give one’s negative comments or express one’s negative opinion towards the topics.)
If it is, what does it mean when it’s translated ? I think it means “nothing comes when (someone)chase”
Hello,
It means nobody would follow us/chase after us.
It will be easier to think this way,
追いかける
te form + くる to come and do something/ come doing something
追いかけてくる coming after us
You add は to show the contrast. (Maybe they look for us but they are probably not going to come after us.)
追いかけてはこない
Hi, Maggie Sensei. Does 相手 always mean contender (as in your example)? I found the next expression: aite no hito 相手の人 and “aite wa mono suki” What does it mean? Thank you very much!
Hello Bere,
相手 has many meanings depending on the context. We have:
1) a companion; a partner（仲間）
2) an opponent; a rival（勝負の）
3) the person one is speaking to; one’s party
Therefore 相手の人 means generally a person other than oneself => “one’s partner”.
ヨロシク
@天人
Thank you for helping Bere!
@Bere
I think 天人 cleared up your doubts.
As for “aite wa mono suki”, is it 相手は物好き ( あいては、ものずき= aite wa monozuki)？
こんにちは、マギー先生。
いつも、そんなに素晴らしい授業を教えてくれてありがとうございます。
「ないでは」と「なくては」についての質問一つありますけど。
「★ Vない ( = nai) + では ( = dewa) + いられない ( = irarenai) : can’t help doing something」と言っていることが分かりますが、「★ Vなくては + いられない」と言ってもいいのですか？
お教えいただきありがとうございます。
ダビッドより
こんにちはダビッド！
「Vなくては + いられない」を使う人もネットでは時々いますが、
「Vないではいられない／Vずにはいられない」の方が一般的です。
マギー先生、ありがとうございました。
そういえば
「Vないではいられない」ってとか
「Vないでください」ってとか
「ない」のテ形を使わなくて
そのままに「で」を加えることは一般的なのでしょうか？
逆に
「Vなくてはいけない」ってとか
「Vなくてはならない」ってとか
「ない」のテ形を使うことは必要なのでしょうか？
それ以外
「ないで」と「なくて」の違い分けは他の例えはあるのですか？
お教えをお願いします。
ダビッドより
Q1) 「Vないではいられない」ってとか
「Vないでください」ってとか
「ない」のテ形を使わなくて
そのままに「で」を加えることは一般的なのでしょうか？
Vなくてはいられない：もう説明した通り文法的には 「〜せずにはいられない・ないではいられない」 の方が自然です。
「Vないでください」 = Please don’t V
Ex. ボタンを押さないでください。 = Please do not push the button.
X 押さなくてください。とは言いません。
Q2: 「Vなくてはいけない」 = have to V
「Vなくてはならない」 = have to V
「ない」のテ形を使うことは必要なのでしょうか？
はい、必要です。
I have to go = 行かなくてはいけない/ 行かなくてはならない
X 行かないではいけない・ならない
とは言いません。
Q3 それ以外
「ないで」と「なくて」の違い分けは他の例えはあるのですか？
いくつかありますが例えば
I just played the games without studying. (explaining how I played the games)
勉強しないでゲームばかりしていた。
I didn’t study and just played the games. (connecting two actions)
勉強しなくてゲームばかりしていた
先生、本当にありがとうございました。
最後の例えもとても役に立ちましたので、どんどん分かりました。
「〜いられない」と「〜ください」には、動詞の未然形のテ形を使えば不自然です。単に行動２つの接続じゃないし、「〜ないで」の「without 〜ing」の意味特にあるし、「〜ないで」+は+「いられない」はもっと自然です。
逆に、「〜いけない」と「〜ならない」には、行動２つの接続が必要なので、「〜なくて」が正しいです。
今日も勉強になりました。
ダビッドより
どういたしまして。
参考までに「〜ずに・ないで」のレッスンがあるからよかったら見てくださいね。→ ~ ずに・ないで
Hi Maggie-sensei. Thank you for your wonderful lessons. They’re always very informative and easy to follow. I have a question concerning the 「〜ては」form.
I came across these lyrics in a song:
どうしようもないことを
人のせいにしては
受け入れてるフリをしていたんだ
ずっと
I don’t really understand the 「人のせいにしては」part and I’ve been trying to translate it into English in a way that makes sense. Does the「〜ては」in this instance indicate a repeated action? Would the translation be something like this?:
“I always went back and forth
between blaming others for what I had no control over
and pretending to be accepting.”
Is this correct? Sorry to ask such a random question, but I’m really curious about this grammatical form lol. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Nubulado!
Yes, this indicates the habitual/repetitive behavior.
I think your translation is good.
So this person has been pretending to accept things that he/she can’t control over blaming on others.
Happy new year, dear Maggi sensei.
Thank you so much for everything.
I hope 2018 will be a very good year for you.
Happy New Year!!! It has been a long time!
Hope the new year will bring you lots of happiness!!!
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧ Thank you . Maggie sensei ! (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
You’re welcome!
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧ Hi Maggie sensei ( o’y’o ) ! ( I’ve seen on several online lesson page ) To _KO / SO / A / DO we can add _KO / NO / RE / U / ITSU / NNA / CHIRA . Actually , the presentation is not as that in textbooks . They go the lesson details long and eventually they say > . ( Things like that ) . It:s something I dreamed ?(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
They say ＜＜ Actually , some other demonstrative pronouns still exist which are used for people and have to do with direction ＞＞( Things like that ) . It’s something I’ve dreamed ?
OK, I Think what you meant is this lesson.
Click this link. →こそあど言葉 ( kosoado kotoba) (this and that in Japanese)
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧ Thank you ! On to the next ! Maggie sensei , how to say FORTUNATELY and UNFORTUNATELY clause in japanese ? You’re wonderful ! (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
You just start a sentence with
fortunately 幸いにも( = saiwai nimo) ・ありがたいことに (= arigatai kotoni) 、運よく (= un yoku)
unfortunately 残念ながら ( = zannen nagara), 運の悪いことに（= un no warui kotoni)
and continue the sentence
Ex. 幸いにも日曜日でも店は開いていた。
= Saiwai nimo nichiyoubi demo mise wa aite ita.
= Fortunately the store was open even on Sunday.
Ex. あいにく予約(よやく）はいっぱいだった。
= Unfortunately it is all booked up.
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧ Hi Maggie sensei ! I want to go directly to the link of your lesson for は particle .Thank you !
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧Hi Maggie sensei ! ( I really want to be able to master everything as helpful and accurate as so called “prepositions” ) Nice Maggie sensei , how to say properly ” _ACROSS eg: _A RIVER ” and ” _AROUND eg: _JULY ” / ” _AROUND eg: _A TREE ” / ” _AROUND eg: _A COUNTRY ” in japanese ? I especially need the pattern for each of them that Maggie sensei will show ! Maggie’s wonderful !(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
おはよう！
ACROSS eg: _A RIVER ”
It depends on the context but for example, My house is across the river
川の向こう (かわのむこう）
or
川を渡った(かわをわたった） （ところにあります）
So when you want to say “across the bridge, across the river”, you need an action verb, “crossing = 渡る（わたる）” or a word 向こう(mukou) the other side
” _AROUND eg: _JULY ” = ７月頃（ごろ）
“around” + Time related word + 頃（ごろ）
*around + number = approximately ~ = 大体（だいたい）〜・位（ぐらい・くらい）
around 20 (years) = 二十歳（はたち）ぐらい
” _AROUND eg: _A TREE ” = 木の周り（まわり）
around + big place = 周り（まわり）
” _AROUND eg: _A COUNTRY = 国の周辺（くにのしゅうへん）・国の周り（まわり）
周辺（しゅうへん） is more formal
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧( i’ll go them one by one ) (About the remark for ACROSS )Oh yeah ! I’ve understood ! Please show me it with ” TO WALK ACROSS THE RIVER ” (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
to walk across the bridge
You can use the verb 渡る
川を渡って歩く
If you are using a bridge,
橋を渡る
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧Thank you ! ( New point ) Maggie sensei ! I’ve heard that there are some more demonstratives other than “_KO _NO _RE _U _ITSU _NNA _CHIRA and which seem to have to do with direction ー which they are ? Thank you ! (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
Hello,
I am sorry. I don’t quite get this part.
_KO _NO _RE _U _ITSU _NNA _CHIRA
Hello! In conversations between friends, should I speak using the ちゃ and じゃ form? If so, could you give me more examples? Thank you!! I have trouble telling if I’m speaking too casually or too formally.
There is no rule that you should use ちゃ／じゃ form with your friends. Sometimes we use that form simply because it is easier to pronounce that way.
There are many causal speech forms but ちゃ／じゃ are pretty safe to use.
それではまた→それじゃまた See you later!
(｡ŏ﹏ŏ) Hi Maggie sensei ! How curious is ” _ miteminufuri ” vocabulary construction ! Is this construction unique among all vocabularies or it has some cousins who are constructed just the same way ？ Thank you ! (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
Not that special.
見て ( = mite ) to look and
+ 見ぬふり ( = minu furi) pretend that you didn’t see anything
Vて = to do ~ and
見ぬ is an old/literal form 見ない. (Ex. する→しない/ せぬ やる→やらない/ やらぬ）
ふり= ふりをする= to pretend
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧Thank you , please ! (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
ლ(´ڡ`ლ)Hi Maggie sensei ❣ I’m curious about the suffix “_mi” and its meaning . Is it productive with vocabularies ? Please cite some examples ❣ Thank you ❣(´-﹏-`；)
Hello,
I have a lesson on the suffix み. Check this link.
(๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧Okay ❣ I’ll do that right away ❣ Thank you ❣ ლ(´ڡ`ლ)
Hope that lesson helps…:)