Speakable Japanese

How to Connect Actions in Japanese: Listing Events Sequentially (...-te, ...-masu)

Hello! In this lesson, we will connect your actions from 'points' into a 'line'. By using the verb's 'te-form', you will learn to describe several actions in the sequence they occur, for example: 'In the morning, I wake up, take a shower, and have breakfast.' Once you master this, you'll be able to talk about your day or memories from trips as if telling a story!

🎯 Lesson Goal

Learn to connect and describe several actions in the correct sequence using the basic chunk 「〜て、〜て、〜ます」 (...-te, ...-te, ...-masu)!

Step 1 Discover

Let's look at how this is used in a real conversation. Yuki and Leo are talking about their morning routines.

👨
Leo

ユキさんは毎朝、何をしますか？

(Yuki-san wa maiasa, nani o shimasu ka?)

👩
Yuki

私は7時に起きて、コーヒーを飲んで、新聞を読みます。

(Watashi wa shichi-ji niokite, ko-hi- ononde, shinbun o yomimasu.)

💡

Did you notice?

Yuki uses the 'te-form' for the first two actions ("okite", "nonde"), but the very last action ends in the regular 'masu-form' ("yomimasu").

Step 2 The Pattern

Here is the most powerful formula for listing actions in chronological order.

Basic Chunk

て、 ます。

( te, masu.)

🔑 Key Point: The 'te-form' is the glue

When you want to say "I will do action A, and then do action B," you can simply connect the sentences using the te-form. You can connect as many actions as you like, with only the final verb taking the tense of the sentence (like the 'ます-form' for present/future).

Step 3 Pattern Practice

Let's practice connecting different actions. Read these out loud!

  • 2 Actions Go to the library and borrow a book.

    図書館へ行って、本を借ります。

    (Toshokan e itte, hon o karimasu.)

  • 3 Actions Return home, do homework, and sleep.

    家へ帰って、宿題をして、寝ます。

    (Ie e kaette, shukudai o shite, nemasu.)

  • Transportation Get off the train and transfer to a bus.

    駅で電車を降りて、バスに乗り換えます。

    (Eki de densha o orite, basu ni norikaemasu.)

Step 4 Make It Yours!

Now it's your turn! Talk sequentially about your actions. Try building your morning routine using the cheat sheet.

👉 ACTION 1 て、 ACTION 2 ます。

Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Verbs (te-form)

  • おきて okite (wake up)
  • たべて tabete (eat)
  • のんで nonde (drink)
  • いって itte (go)
  • して shite (do)

Nouns (名詞)

  • あさごはん asagohan (breakfast)
  • がっこう gakkou (school)
  • しごと shigoto (work)
  • しゅくだい shukudai (homework)
  • テレビ terebi (TV)

Bonus Go Beyond the Basics

Because the final verb determines the tone of the whole sentence, you only need to change the last verb to make your sequence negative or casual!

🙅‍♀️ 1. Make it Negative

Formal Negative

起きて、朝ごはんを食べません。

(Okite, asagohan o tabemasen.)

Casual Negative

起きて、朝ごはんを食べない。

(Okite, asagohan o tabenai.)

🤝 2. Friendly & Casual

Formal (Review)

起きて、朝ごはんを食べます。

(Okite, asagohan o tabemasu.)

Casual (Friends)

起きて、朝ごはんを食べる。

(Okite, asagohan o taberu.)

Summary Lesson Review

Connecting Actions: Use the te-form of verbs (〜て、〜て) to link several actions in chronological order.

Tense is at the End: You can connect as many actions as you like, but only the final verb determines the tense and politeness level of the sentence.

Negative & Casual: To change the tone of the sequence, simply change the final verb to 〜ません or a casual form.

Practice Drill

1 / X Polite

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