Te-Form (2) - manner of doing

ていく・てくる

ていく combines the Te-form with the verb 行く. てくる combines the Te-form with the verb 来る. Both can be used when representing time or a physical place. Kanji and hiragana can be used, and they can be conjugated. Only for verbs.

The first meaning is the following:

• ていく means to go and do something.
• てくる means to do and come back.

Examples

家で食べていくか？ Want to go and eat at my home?

晩御飯ばんごはんを買ってきた。 I brought tonight’s dinner. (bought and came with).

The second meaning is:

• ていく means to start doing something with your own agency.
• てくる on the contrary, is when something comes to the listener without agency from them.

Examples

彼は駅まで歩いていきます。 He walk to the station.

雨が降ふってきた。 It started raining.

てしまう・ちゃう・じゃう

Vて + しまう

Vて + ちゃう

Vで + じゃう

This means “by accident, unfortunately” or “completely”. Only for verbs.

Examples

宿しゅく題だいもうやってしまいました。 I’ve already finished my homework.

もう全ぜん部ぶ食べちゃった。。。 I’ve already eaten everything…

てみる

Used to express the meaning of trying something, usually something new. Can also be used to suggest to someone to try something. Used in past tense, it implies a successful attempt. Only for verbs.

Example

これを食べてみるか？ Do you want to try this food?

てすみません

Means “sorry for”.

Example

遅おくれてすみません。 Sorry for being late.

てよかった

Means “glad that”.

Example

美術館びじゅつかんに行ってよかった。 I’m glad I went to the museum.

ているところ

Means “in the process/middle of doing”. Can either talk about the exact moment or in general. See also たところ.

Example

現在げんざい、求職きゅうしょくしているところです。 I am currently seeking a job.

てはじめて

Means “not until”.

Example

韓国かんこくに来きて初めてキムチを知しらなかった。 Before coming to Korea, I had never heard of kimchi.

て済む

て済すむ has different meanings:

• that it is sufficient, enough
• that it solves something

Example

切符きっぷは５００円で済ませる。 The ticket costs only 500 yen.

会合かいごうに遅おくれてしまったが、電話でんわで謝あやまって済みました。 I was late for a meeting, but I was able to apologize over the phone (thus solving the situation).

ている場合じゃない

ている場合ばあい(じゃない・ではない) means “this is no time to be doing”. Tells the listener to stop doing what they are doing. Used with verbs in て form.

Example

夜よるので、歌うたえている場合じゃない！ It’s night, so it’s no time to be singing!