JLPT N2 Grammar (tewa / dewa)

Meaning

whenever; if; when~; repetitive action

How to use

Verb (て form)
Noun + で
な-adjective + で
い-adjective + くて
tewa dewa ては では jlpt n2 grammar meaning 文法 例文 japanese flashcards

Learn Japanese grammar: (tewa / dewa). Meaning: whenever; if; when~; repetitive action.

Meaning 1 – if; because + bad result

This meaning is similar to the grammar , but may only be used to express a negative meaning.

See examples 1~6.

Meaning 2 – whenever [A] happens, [B]..

This expresses a repeated or habitual situation. Whenever something happens, something else happens.

This meaning may only be used with verbs in て form.

See examples 7~10.

Meaning 3 – multiple repetitive actions

This can be used to express two or more actions that are being repeated.

See separate lesson for .


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- Example Sentences

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

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Example #1

こんなにあめがふっては、かいものができないな。
konna ni ame ga futte wa, kaimono ga dekinai na.
I can't go shopping if it keeps raining like this.
Example #2

かれのせいせきがこんなにわるくては、そつぎょうもできないだろう。
kare no seiseki ga konnani waru kute, sotsugyou mo dekinai darou.
When his grades are this bad, he may not be able to graduate.
Example #3

かれがあいてではかてるわけがない。
kare ga aite de wa kateru wake ga nai.
If he is my opponent, there is no way I can win.
Example #4

きみのレストランのりょうりがまずくてはだれもきませんよ。
kimi no resutoran no ryouri ga mazuku tewa dare mo kimasen yo.
If your restaurant's food is not good, no one will come.
Example #5

このしごと、かれにまかせてはいかがでしょう?
kono shigoto, kare ni makasete wa ikaga deshou ka?
How about leaving this work to him?
Example #6

しずかに!おおきなこえではなしてはさかながにげてしまう。
shizuka ni!ookina koe de hanashi tewa sakana ga nigete shimau.
Be quiet! If you talk in a loud voice, all of the fish will go away.
Example #7

かのじょはにほんにきては、おみやげでスーツケースをいっぱいにしてくににかえる。
kanojo wa nihon ni kite wa, omiyage de suutsukeesu o ippai ni shite kuni ni kaeru.
Whenever she comes to Japan, she always goes back home with a suitcase full of souvenirs.
Example #8

かのじょはなくしたこどものしゃしんをみてはないた。
kanojo wa naku shita kodomo no shashin o mite wa naita.
She cried whenever she looked at a picture of her lost child.
Example #9

むすめはニキビになやんでいて、かがみをみてはためいきをついている。
musume wa nikibi ni nayandeite, kagami o mitewa tameiki o tsuiteiru.
My daughter is really worried about her pimples and sighing every time she looks at a mirror.
Example #10

じゅぎょうをサボってはせんせいにしかられたりしたあのころのことがなつかしくおもわれる。
jugyou o sabottewa sensei ni shikararetari shita ano koro no koto ga natsukashiku omowareru.
I have fond memories of when I used to skip class and get scolded by my teacher.

Vocabulary List

KanjiKanaEnglish
ころtime period
あねolder sister
叱られるしかられるto get scolded
雨が降るあめがふるto rain
肝心かんじんessential; vital
本人ほんにんthe main/actual person
病気びょうきsick
むすめdaughter
かがみmirror
ため息ためいきsigh
授業じゅぎょうclass
サボるさぼるto skip
懐かしいなつかしいnostalgic
成績せいせきperformance; grades
進級しんきゅうadvancement (school; military)

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JLPT N2 vocabulary list

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