This connects two or more actions. It means one action happens, and then the next action happens right after it.
Verb [て-form] + ClausePrimary
This connects two or more actions. It means one action happens, and then the next action happens right after it.
朝、シャワーを浴びて、会社へ行きます。
In the morning, I take a shower and then go to work.
昨日は一日中、家でゴロゴロして、アニメを見ていた。
Yesterday, I lazed around at home all day and watched anime.
宿題を半分だけやって、残りはやらなかった。
I only did half of the homework and didn't do the rest.
会議室を予約して、参加者に案内メールを送付いたしました。
I have reserved the conference room and sent a guidance email to the participants.
空港に着いて、まずラウンジで休みましょうか。
After we arrive at the airport, shall we first rest in the lounge?
This grammar connects actions. It can show many things. It can show why something happened. It can show how you did something. Or it can show things happening at the same time. The words around it tell you the exact meaning.
This is different from "~te kara". "~te kara" means the first action must finish completely. Then the second action happens. This is also different from "~tari~tari". "~tari~tari" lists things you do. But it does not show a strict order.
Watch out: When you say you did not do something, then did something else, do not use "-nakute". "-nakute" means "because I did not". Use "-naide" instead. For example, say "I went to school without eating breakfast." You can also say "I studied and did not sleep."
Don't use this when the actions are not related. For example, 'I ate sushi and then I like cats' is not good. The final verb sets the tense and politeness for the whole sentence. The 'te'-form itself does not. 'I woke up and washed my face' is polite and present. 'I woke up and washed my face (past)' is plain and past.
Contrasts with(4)
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