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A friend beckons and says 「一緒に来て」. What do they want the other person to do? Look at where the two are standing.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 2

〜て~te

casual request or invitation

End a sentence with 「〜て」 to casually ask someone close to do something, invite them, or give a gentle instruction.

How it works

  1. A friend beckons and says 「一緒に来て」. What do they want the other person to do? Look at where the two are standing.

    A friend beckons and says 「一緒に来て」. What do they want the other person to do? Look at where the two are standing.

  2. Leave out 「ください」 from 「来てください」, and it becomes a casual request.

    Leave out 「ください」 from 「来てください」, and it becomes a casual request.

  3. This wording is common with friends, family, and others you are close to. Use a polite expression with people you do not know well.

    This wording is common with friends, family, and others you are close to. Use a polite expression with people you do not know well.

  4. Use the て-form at the end of a sentence to ask someone to do something. It can call someone over, invite them, or give a gentle instruction.

    Use the て-form at the end of a sentence to ask someone to do something. It can call someone over, invite them, or give a gentle instruction.

  5. You can say 「食べて」 when offering food. Said softly with a smile, it means “Go ahead and eat.”

    You can say 「食べて」 when offering food. Said softly with a smile, it means “Go ahead and eat.”

「行って」 asks the other person to go. A hurried, firm tone makes it sound like an instruction; a gentle tone softens it.

「行って」 asks the other person to go. A hurried, firm tone makes it sound like an instruction; a gentle tone softens it.

Example sentences

  • 食べたべtabeて。てte

    Eat. (Please eat.)

  • 行っいっiて。てte

    Go. (Please go.)

In a conversation

  • A
    ねえ、ねえ今いま暇？ひま

    A: Hey, are you free now?

  • B
    うん、うん何？なん

    B: Yeah, what's up?

  • A
    買い物かいものに行こう。いこう一緒いっしょに来きて。て

    A: Let's go shopping. Come with me.

  • B
    どこ行くいくの？の

    B: Where are we going?

  • A
    駅前えきまえのスーパー。すーぱー

    A: The supermarket in front of the station.

  • B
    いいよ。よちょっと待っまって。て準備じゅんびする。する

    B: Okay. Wait a moment. I'll get ready.

  • A
    分かった。わかった外そとで待ってる。まってる

    A: Got it. I'll be waiting outside.

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    Hey, watch a movie.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    散歩 。

    Go for a walk.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜は〜ですが、〜は〜ですcontrasting two topics
  • 〜ていますrepeated everyday habit
  • 〜たり、〜たりしますlisting example activities
  • 〜のとき、〜ましたsomething done at that time
  • 普通形casual plain speech forms
  • 〜てcasual request or invitation
Previous普通形

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