ては / では | Grammar

Structure

[verb て-form] + は、[sentence (bad result)] [i-adj 〜い → 〜くて] + は、[sentence (bad result)] [na-adj] + では、[sentence (bad result)] [noun] + では、[sentence (bad result)] [verb て-form] + は + [verb ます-stem]、[verb て-form] + は + [verb ます-stem]

Description

ては means "if" when what follows is bad: a problem, something you can't do, a judgment that it won't work. It goes on the て-form, so an い-adjective becomes 〜くて, and a verb whose て-form ends in で gives では. A な-adjective or a noun takes では directly.

、。

If it's this hot, you can't exercise outside.

。

It's rude to say something like that.

、。

If you rush that much, you'll make more mistakes.

、。

With these grades, you probably won't get into university.

In speech, では contracts to じゃ and ては to ちゃ.

。

A child couldn't do it.

ては or たら

and are neutral: the result can be good or bad. ては carries the speaker's disapproval, so the second half is always unwelcome. A good result needs たら or ば.

。

If you eat sweets every day, it won't be much of a diet.

、。

I exercised every day and lost weight.

× 毎日運動しては、やせる → 毎日運動すれば、やせる

Repeated actions

Two verbs joined with ては, often said twice over, describe something that happens again and again: A, then B, then A again. The second verb is usually in the ます-stem.

、。

He kept writing and erasing, writing and erasing.

、。

The rain keeps starting and stopping.

Usage notes

These go beyond a single conditional.

てはいけない

and , "must not", are built on this ては: if you do it, it's no good.

。

You must not take photos here.

"Whenever"

ては can also describe a habit: each time A happens, B follows.

、。

Whenever he finds some free time, he goes fishing.

Examples

、。

She kept crying and laughing, crying and laughing.

、。

I keep reading and forgetting, reading and forgetting – it's an endless cycle.

、。

The rain keeps falling and stopping, falling and stopping.

、。

If it's this hot, we can't exercise outside.

。

If you keep lying, people will stop trusting you.

、。

With these grades, you probably can't get into university.

。

If you're alone, it's too dangerous.

。

If you eat sweets every day, it won't be much of a diet.

。

You must not use your phone during class.

、。

If you rush that much, your mistakes will increase.

、。

He kept falling down and getting back up, challenging himself again and again.

、。

If you're underprepared, you can't produce good results.

References

～てはimabi.org
てはBunpro