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N5 · Lesson 16

Linking actions and describing

Chain several actions with the て form, describe features with 〜は〜が, and ask how something is done.

Grammar

V1 て、V2 — actions in sequence

V1 て、V2 て、… / A-くて/A-なで、〜

The て form chains actions in chronological order: きて、シャワーを びて、 きます. Adjectives chain too: -い ones with 〜くて (くておいしい), and -な ones and nouns with で (ハンサムで です).

Examples

  • On Sunday I went shopping and saw a film.

  • Nara is a quiet, beautiful town.

V1 てから、V2 — "after…"

V1 てから、V2

〜てから stresses that the second action happens once the first is finished: わってから、 ぎに きます.

Examples

  • After putting the money in, press the button.

N1 は N2 が A — describing a part

N1 は N2 が A です

To describe a feature of part of the topic you use は…が…: が おいしいです (the food in Osaka is delicious), マリアさんは いです.

Examples

  • Mr. Miller is tall.

N を ます/ります — the point you leave from

N を V (to leave, to get off)

を also marks the place you leave or get off: ります (to get off the train), ます (to graduate).

Examples

  • Get off the train at Umeda.

どうやって — "how do you do it?"

どうやって V ますか

どうやって asks about the manner or procedure; the answer chains the steps with the て form.

Examples

  • How do you get to the university? …From Kyoto station I take bus 16 and get off at Daigaku-mae.

どれ/どの N — "which" (of three or more)

どれ / どの N

To choose among three or more options you use どれ (on its own) or どの + noun: どれが ですか, どの さんですか.

Examples

  • Which one is Mr. Miller? …That tall one.

Vocabulary

WordReadingMeaning
to get on [the train]
to get off [the train]
to change (trains)
to have [a shower]
to put in, to insert
to take out, to hand in, to send
to withdraw [money from the bank]
to enter [university]
to graduate [from university]
to press, to push
to drink alcohol
to begin, to start
to visit (to learn)
to phone
young
long
short
bright, light
dark
body
head
hair
face
eye(s)
ear(s)
nose
mouth
tooth, teeth
stomach
leg(s), foot (feet)
height
service
jogging
shower
green, green space
Buddhist temple
Shinto shrine
number ~
how, in what way
which ~ (of three or more)
which one (of three or more)
amazing! how great!
I still have a long way to go
are you withdrawing money?
first
next, after that
bank card
PIN, password
amount, sum of money
confirmation
button
Snow Festival (Sapporo)

See this lesson's vocabulary →

See also