JLPT N1 grammar

〜てはmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. If A; given A (followed by an unfavorable result)
  2. Every time A happens, B
  3. Doing A, then B, repeatedly

How to form it

  • verb (te-form)は
  • い-adjective (-く form)ては
  • noun/な-adjective (stem)では
  • verb (te-form)はverb (masu-stem)

How it is used

① 'If/given A', followed by a bad result: 「こう暑くては眠れない」. ② 'Every time A, B', a repeated habit. ③ 'A, then B, over and over': 「降ってはやみ」. In speech it becomes 「ちゃ／じゃ」.

Examples

  1. この会社の給料がこんなに安くては、だれも働きたくないよ。

    With wages this low at this company, no one wants to work here.

  2. 手紙を書いては消し、書いては消しを繰り返して、なかなか進まない。

    I keep writing the letter and erasing it, over and over, and I'm getting nowhere.

  3. 友達はうちに来ては、漫画を読んで帰っていく。

    My friend comes over, reads manga and goes home, time after time.

About the example 1. Since A; because of A 2. Every time that A happens, B 3. Doing A, then B; A, then B, etc.