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N5

Linking Actions with て

About 9 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Core pattern

Use the て-form to link actions that happen in order. The last verb in the sentence shows whether the whole sentence is polite, casual, present, or past.

  1. Target signal

    朝ごはんを食べて、学校へ行きます。

    I eat breakfast and go to school.

    The final verb 行きます sets the tense and politeness for the whole sentence.

    Vocabulary notes
    朝ごはんあさごはん
    breakfast
    行きますいきます
    go
    ごはん
    meal; rice

  2. Compare in context

    ドアを開けて、部屋に入ります。

    I open the door and enter the room.

    The て-form links two actions done by the same subject in sequence.

    Vocabulary notes
    開けてあけて
    opening
    ドア
    door
    ます
    polite verb ending

Section 2 of 3

Order and flow

The linked actions usually happen in the order they appear. This pattern is very common in schedules, routines, and simple narratives.

  1. Target signal

    うちへ帰って、宿題をしました。

    I went home and did my homework.

    Only しました shows the past tense, but both actions are understood as past.

    Vocabulary notes
    しました
    did
    うち
    home; our place
    した
    did

  2. Preview

    本を読んで、寝ます。

    I read a book and then go to sleep.

    The linked actions happen in order, and 寝ます gives the final action.

    Vocabulary notes
    読んでよんで
    reading and
    ます
    polite verb ending
    で
    at; in; by; with

Section 3 of 3

Reading tip

Japanese often drops the subject when it stays the same. When you see a chain of て-forms, follow the actions from left to right and wait for the final verb to know the full tense.

  1. Target signal

    水を飲んで、少し休みました。

    I drank water and rested for a bit.

    飲んで connects the first action smoothly to the short second action.

    Vocabulary notes
    した
    did
    休みやすみ
    day off; break; holiday
    少しすこし
    a little

  2. Preview

    駅へ行って、電車に乗ります。

    I go to the station and get on the train.

    行って links movement to the next action that follows.

    Vocabulary notes
    行っていって
    going and...
    って
    colloquial quoting or topic particle
    ます
    polite verb ending

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Linking Actions with て changes the meaning before you check the translation.

朝ごはんを食べて、学校へ行きます。 ドアを開けて、部屋に入ります。 うちへ帰って、宿題をしました。 本を読んで、寝ます。 水を飲んで、少し休みました。 駅へ行っ

Show English translation

I eat breakfast and go to school. I open the door and enter the room. I went home and did my homework. I read a book and then go to sleep. I drank water and rested for a bit. I go to the station and get on the train.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Linking Actions with て changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Linking Actions with て changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Linking Actions with て in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Choose the best Japanese sentence for: 'I got up and ate breakfast.'

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Linking Actions with て).

＿＿＿を食べて、学校へ行きます。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1ドアを開けて、部屋に入ります。
  2. 2うちへ帰って、宿題をしました。
  3. 3朝ごはんを食べて、学校へ行きます。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Linking Actions with て in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/3

Choose the best Japanese sentence for: 'I got up and ate breakfast.'