Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 6: 2/16

~て (Casual Request)

Please do for me (Casual request)

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb[て]

Details

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    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About Verb[て]

In casual speech, てください is often shortened to . This usually comes across as being a friendly way to say 'please do (A)', but may sound like a very soft order, so is best used with friends/toward people of lower status.
This nuance of is usually able to be identified by appearing at the end of a sentence.
  • 午後(ごご)から(きゃく)さん()から部屋(へや)片付(かたづ)
    We have guests coming over during the afternoon so please clean up your room. (Said by a parent to a child)
  • ペン()
    Can you please lend me a pen?
Caution
Sometimes, other forms of may appear at the end of a sentence. This happens most often when the speaker has not actually finished speaking, but is thinking about what they want to say next. In these cases, the pronunciation of will usually be extended (to highlight that the person is thinking).
  • (えき)まで(はし)ていっ...
    I ran to the station and…
When emphasizing an apology, may also be used. For this nuance to be conveyed, will be attached to the 'reason' that the person is apologizing, and may be either positive or negative.
  • 約束(やくそく)(まも)なくてすみません。
    I am sorry that I wasn't able to keep my promise.
  • タケシジャケットに(みず)こぼしちゃっごめん。
    Takeshi, I am sorry that I spilled water on your jacket.

Examples

  • 「こしょう()。」

    '(Please) pass me the pepper.'

  • ちょっと()まだ()きたいことがある。」

    '(Please) wait a second. I still have questions!'

    待って is used when we request another person to stop what are they doing at the moment, or what are they about to do. In this example, the person it's being directed at might be about to go somewhere.

  • (だれ)(たす)!」

    '(Please) somebody help me!'

  • 母親(ははおや):「部屋(へや)片付(かたづ)。」
    子供(こども):「うん。」

    Mother: '(Please) tidy up your room, okay?'
    Child: 'Okay.'

    ね is used when requesting confirmation or agreement, it expresses the hope that the hearer will understand the speaker's expectations, therefore it can soften the request. てね is often used when speaking to children.

  • このポスター()ておい。」

    '(Please) put up this poster.'

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Verb[て] – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • ekhill

    ekhill

    About 3 years ago

    So the double “te” at the end of this example is really throwing me off…why is it not just “soko de sukoshi mate” (sorry, writing on a computer without kana)? Why is the extra “te” needed?

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    About 3 years ago

    Hey! 待ってて is a contraction of 待っていて. It is used when we request another person to wait until the speaker comes back. Think of it as saying “wait and be/stay” rather than just “wait.” Cheers!

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