Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 15

Structure of ～て (Casual Request):

Verb［て］。

Details about ～て (Casual Request):

In casual speech, てください is often shortened to て. This usually comes across as being a friendly way to say 'please do (A)', but may sound like a very soft order, so is best used with friends/toward people of lower status.
This nuance of て is usually able to be identified by appearing at the end of a sentence.

午後(ごご)からお客(きゃく)さんが来(く)るから部屋(へや)を片付(かたづ)けて。
We have guests coming over during the afternoon so please clean up your room. (Said by a parent to a child)
ペン貸(か)して。
Can you please lend me a pen?

～て (Casual Request)

Usage Notes for ～て (Casual Request):

Sometimes, other forms of て may appear at the end of a sentence. This happens most often when the speaker has not actually finished speaking, but is thinking about what they want to say next. In these cases, the pronunciation of て will usually be extended (to highlight that the person is thinking).

駅(えき)まで走(はし)っていって...
I ran to the station and…

When emphasizing an apology, て may also be used. For this nuance to be conveyed, て will be attached to the 'reason' that the person is apologizing, and may be either positive or negative.

約束(やくそく)を守(まも)れなくてすみません。
I am sorry that I wasn't able to keep my promise.
タケシのジャケットに水(みず)をこぼしちゃってごめん。
Takeshi, I am sorry that I spilled water on your jacket.