Gerund Forms (Te-froms) of Verbs

1. In this section, we study GERUND FORM (TE-FORM) of verbs.
GERUND FORM is used in various types of constructions. In this chapter, we are going to study:
V-te+kudasai. "Please do such-and-such"

2. Recall that Japanese verbs can be devided into three groups:

You make Te-forms of verbs based on the following rules:

Ru-Verbs
  • Change the /ru/-part to /te/
    (eg.) taberu -> tabete
U-verbs: Remember the following:
  • Verbs ending with /u/, /tsu/, or /ru/ -> /tte/
    (eg.) kau (to buy)-> katte, tatsu (to stand up)-> tatte

  • Verbs ending with /mu/, /bu/, or /nu/ -> /nde/
    (eg.) nomu (to drink)-> nonde, yobu (to call/invite)-> yonde

  • Verbs ending with /su/ -> /site/
    (eg.) kasu (to lend)-> kashite

  • Verbs ending with /ku/ -> /ikte/
    (eg.) kaku (to write)->kaite

  • Verbs ending with /gu/-> /ide/
    (eg.) isogu (to hurry up)->isoide

Irregular Verbs
  • suru (to do)-> site
  • kuru (to come)-> kite
There is only one exception to the above rules. That is, the gerund
form of the verb iku (to go) (which we study in Chapter 5) is itte, NOT IKITE.

Let's Practice!
Say the gerund forms of the following verbs:

3. The combination of Verb-TE+Kudasai means "Please do such-and-such."
Now, let's practice "V-te+kudasai" expression!


Try this drill!