Building from -masu form:
Part before -masu is ending in an i-sound: Replace part before -masu and masu itself with…
- …い, ち, り: って (kaimasu -> katte, machimasu -> matte, torimasu -> totte) dictionary form: u/tsu/ru -> tte, iku -> itte
- …に, び, み: んで (shinimasu -> shinde, asobimasu -> asonde, yomimasu -> yonde) dictionary form: mu/bu/nu -> nde
- …き: いて (kikimasu -> kiite) dictionary form: ku -> ite, kuru -> kite
- …ぎ: いで (oyogimasu -> oyoide) dictionary form: gu -> ide
- …し: して (hanashimasu -> hanashite) dictionary form: suru -> shite, su -> shite
Part before -masu is ending in an e-sound (て, え),
part before -masu is only one Hiragana,
or a few “disguised” words: Just add て instead of masu.
- tabemasu -> tabete, oshiemasu -> oshite (e-sound)
- mimasu -> mite, nemasu -> nete, kimasu (to wear) -> kite (only 1 Hiragana)
- okimasu -> okite, to wake up (disguised word)
Exceptions:
- きます (to come): きて
- します (to do): して
also when combining a noun with shimasu, e.g. benkyoushimasu -> benkyoushite
Tofugu article
Masa Sensei YouTube Video
Te–Form song
- te-form links actions, events, and states
- [verb] て [verb] = and (eg. I wake up and eat)
- if the two actions are overlapping, it is simultaneous: literally “I run and go to school” rather means “I go to school by running” – main action and sub action
- connect adjectives: the room is quiet and spacious
- can also mean “so” instead of “and”: I had a headache so I couldn’t sleep
- te form at the end of sentence = command/request (casual). Add ください to soften or make formal.
- て + います: am doing right now. 食べています = (I) am eating
- て + いいですか = asking for permission. 食べていいですか = can (I) eat?
- て + はいけません = cannot do something (rule). 食べてはいけません = (you) cannot eat
- て + ください: please [verb]. 食べてください = please eat