Useful て Form Pairs
This page covers some common words paired with the て form. While its just a simple application of the て form, they are extremely useful and common, and can help broaden your understanding of the て form.
This words are all special verbs/phrases
て + ありがとう
The most useful expression here. てありがとう expresses thanks for doing something. Use it often.
- 覚えてくれてありがとう。- Thanks for remembering.
- きてくれて本当にありがとうございました. – Thank you so much for coming.
- 聞いてくれてありがとう。- Thanks for listening.
- 最後まで見てくれてありがとうございます – Thank you for watching until the end.
て + すみません
てすみません is a simple “Excuse me” for doing something. It’s an incidental apology, more acceptable for moving past someone, or accidentally bumping them, etc.. Due to the incidental nature, its rarely used with a verb or て form (Because its obvious).
- ぶつかってすみません – Excuse me for bumping into you. (A bit iffy)
て + ごめんなさい
てごめんなさい is a proper apology, showing remorse. It means you did something bad, usually intentionally. Don’t use it when it is not your action. (I.e. don’t use it like “sorry to hear that”).
- ぶつかってごめんなさい – Sorry for bumping you.
- 怒らせてごめんなさい – Sorry for making you mad.
- 殴ってごめんなさい – Sorry for punching you.
なさい may be dropped, or ね added if its to your friend for a light crime.
- 忘れてごめん – Sorry I forgot.
- 遅れてごめん – Sorry I was late. (3ish minutes)
て + もうしわけございません
The full on “I’m terribly, terribly sorry” apology. もうしわけございません literally means there are no excuses. It is used for formal, polite, sincere apologies. Used by staff to guests, in public apologies, or when someone really messed up. See Keigo for more information.
- 迷惑をかけて申し訳ございません – Sorry for burdening you. (Stereotypical phrase)
- 役にたてなくて、申し訳ございません – Sorry I could not be of use.