Verb ては JLPT N1

Formation

Verb-て form + は

Explanation

The grammar ～ては is used to show that whenever one action or situation occurs, another action or situation repeatedly follows. It can also be used in an alternating pattern: 'do this, then that, then this, then that.'

Example sentences

• 彼女に会っては、いつも緊張してしまいます。

  Whenever I meet her, I get nervous.

  Kanojo ni atte wa, itsumo kinchō shite shimaimasu.

• この部屋を掃除しては乱雑になり、片づけては散らかる。

  Whenever I clean this room, it gets messy again, and whenever I tidy it, it gets cluttered again.

  Kono heya o sōji shite wa konzatsu ni nari, katadzukete wa chirakaru.

• 運動しては食べ、食べては運動する生活が続いている。

  I keep exercising and then eating, and then eating and exercising.

  Undō shite wa tabe, tabete wa undō suru seikatsu ga tsudzuite iru.

• 勉強しては寝て、寝ては勉強する日々です。

  My days are spent studying and then sleeping, and then sleeping and studying.

  Benkyō shite wa nete, nete wa benkyō suru hibi desu.