Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 4: 16/18

~てはIf, With, Since, Because

Structure

Verb[て]+ (1)
[い]Adjective[て]+
[な]Adjective + (2)
Noun + (2)

(1) Verb[] + ちゃ
(2) じゃ

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About ては

When the particles て and は are combined, they form a regular composite structure that is used primarily to highlight repeating actions, or to make assessments or judgments about potential situations. In this grammar structure, we will be looking at the nuance that is used with potential situations. This may be interpreted simply as 'if (A), (B)', 'when (A), (B)', or 'because of (A), (B)'.

At times when used as 'if', ては will generally express some sort of negative expectation or comment.

Depending on what ては appears after, では may be used instead. This is the case when following nouns, な-Adjectives, or verbs that require で to be used instead of て when conjugating.

As with many other structures that use ては or では, it will often be shortened to じゃ or ちゃ.



Examples

--:--

    無理(むり)()っぱっては(こわ)れてしまいますよ!

    If you pull it forcibly, it will break!

    ()(まえ)にそんなコーヒーを()んでは()られない。

    If you drink coffee before going to bed, you won't be able to sleep a wink.

    こんなに塩辛(しおから)ては()(もの)にならないよ。

    If it is this salty, it will not sell.

    そんな服装(ふくそう)ではあの(みせ)には()れてもらえないよ。

    With those clothes, you won't be able to enter that shop.

    そのような()()では周囲(しゅうい)はあなたを「馬鹿(ばか)(ひと)」と評価(ひょうか)し、(だれ)もあなたに(たい)して真面目(まじめ)相手(あいて)をしないでしょう。

    With behavior like that, you will be labeled a fool by those around you and no one will treat you seriously.

    • Get more example sentences!

      Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

    Self-Study Sentences

    Study your own way!

    Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

    • Online

        There are no Online resources listed for 「ては」.

        You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!


      • Offline

          There are no Offline resources listed for 「ては」.

          You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

        • Track Resources!

          Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

        ては – Grammar Discussion

        Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

        • Rewdemon

          Rewdemon

          This one made me feel a little overwhelmed lol. Halfway through N2 I learn yet another way to say “if” with yet another new nuance?

          Did someone make a list of all the possible ‘if…then’ structures and their nuances? I reckon it would come in handy.

        Got questions about ては? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

        Join the Discussion