Both Te-form and Tara-form can connect two actions and can both be translated as "...and then..." But their nuances are completely different — one bundles, the other separates.
Core Difference: Unity vs Separation
| Te-form | Tara-form | |
|---|---|---|
| Logic | Two actions form one unit | Two actions are sequential steps |
| Separable | Cannot be split apart | Can be split apart |
| Focus | Method / means | Condition / sequence |
Compare these two sentences:
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 私は日本へ行ってスカイツリーを見物したい。 | I want to go to Japan and see Tokyo Skytree. (go + see = one event) |
| 私は日本へ行ったらスカイツリーを見物したい。 | Once I get to Japan, I want to see Tokyo Skytree. (arrive first, then see) |
Te-form binds "going to Japan" and "seeing Tokyo Skytree" into a single plan. Tara-form means "once I arrive in Japan (once that condition is met), then I'll go see it."
Te-form: Two Actions as One Unit
Actions connected by Te-form are tightly linked — you cannot insert anything between them:
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 箸を使って食べる。 Use chopsticks to eat. | Means + purpose = one unit |
| 走って学校に行く。 Run to school. | Manner + movement = one unit |
| 窓を開けて空気を入れる。 Open the window to let air in. | Action + immediate result = one unit |
The key with Te-form: the two actions cannot be separated — they are two facets of the same event.
Tara-form: The Second Action Happens After the First Is Complete
Tara-form emphasizes "A is completed, then B" — the two events can stand independently:
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 駅に着いたら電話してください。 Please call me when you arrive at the station. | Arrive first → then call |
| 宿題が終わったら遊びに行こう。 Let's go play once homework is done. | Finish first → then go play |
| 大人になったら何になりたい？ What do you want to be when you grow up? | Grow up first → then choose a career |
The key with Tara-form: the first clause is a condition or point in time, and the second clause happens only after that condition is met.
Quick Test: Can You Insert "and then"?
If you can naturally insert "after... is done, then..." between the two actions, use Tara-form. If it sounds awkward, use Te-form:
| Sentence | Insert "and then" test | Which to use |
|---|---|---|
| 走って学校に行く | × "Run, and then go to school" (unnatural) | Te-form |
| 駅に着いたら電話する | ○ "Arrive at the station, and then call" (natural) | Tara-form |
Supplement: を and に in Time Expressions
Tara-form often appears with time expressions, so let's clarify the time-related particles:
| Particle | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| を | Passing through a point in time | 3時を過ぎた。 It's past 3 o'clock. |
| に | A specific point in time | 3時に会いましょう。 Let's meet at 3 o'clock. |
を過ぎる is a fixed expression — time "passes through" a certain point, marked with を.
Summary
- Te-form = two actions bundled into one (method / means / tight connection)
- Tara-form = two actions split into sequential steps (condition / after completion / sequence)
- Quick test: Can you insert "after... is done, then..."? → Tara-form; if not → Te-form
- The same sentence with Te vs Tara conveys different meanings (行って見る vs 行ったら見る)
Self-Check Exercises
Q1. What's the difference between 「日本へ行って寿司を食べたい」 and 「日本へ行ったら寿司を食べたい」?
Show Answer
- 行って食べたい → I want to go to Japan and eat sushi (going + eating is one bundled plan)
- 行ったら食べたい → Once I get to Japan, I want to eat sushi (arrive first, then think about eating)
The first is a packaged wish; the second is "I'll think about it once I'm there."
Q2. Fill in Te-form or Tara-form: 「宿題が終わっ＿＿遊びに行こう。」
Show Answer
宿題が終わったら遊びに行こう。
"Finishing homework" and "going to play" are two independent events — the first must be completed before the second can happen → use Tara-form.
Q3. Why does 「3時を過ぎた」 use を instead of に?
Show Answer
Because 過ぎる means to "pass through" a point in time, and を marks the object being passed through. に is used to mark a specific time point (doing something at 3 o'clock), while を marks the "passing" of time.