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j-rock101 · 2 years ago

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文法：〜ては（If・Because + Bad Result/Whenever ~/Repetitive Actions）

A(て-form)＋は、B。

In spoken Japanese, ては and では become the contractions ちゃ and じゃ respectively.

We’ve seen ては combine with phrases like ならない、だめ、いけない to mean something that you “must not do.” However, ては has several different uses.

If・Because + Bad Result

Aては、B。（A［普通形］＋のでは、B。）* If/Because A, then B (Bad Result).

This is the base form for the grammars てはいけない and しなくちゃならない. ては is a conditional whose usage is very similar to ～たら, but while ～たら is neutral, ては carries a negative implication. It's used to express a negative result due to some action, or even just one's negative reaction to that action.* While it's common to see it paired with だめ・ならない・いけない like in the above grammars, it is not limited to those endings.

先輩　ついてきちゃ意味ないです［ビクッ］ Senpai, there's no point if you're just going to follow me. [Startled] [Speaker is on an errand from Senpai to fetch a drink.]

(『月刊少女野崎くん』 Girl’s Monthly Nozaki-kun,vol. 1 by Izumi Tsubaki)

Of course, depending on the translation, these alternate endings can still carry the meaning of "that must (not) be."

未来の僕の奥さんに傷が残っちゃ大変だ It would be a problem if my future wife were scarred. (= I can't allow my future wife to be scarred.)

(『魔法使いの嫁』 The Ancient Magus' Bride, vol. 1 by Yamazaki Kore)

Whenever ～

While て-form is used to simply connect two clauses to indicate a simple sequence of actions, ては is used to describe an action that keeps happening. In this case, ては is only formed from verbs.*

A(Verb) て、B。 When A, then B. A(Verb) ては、B。 Whenever A, then B.

These actions are habitual, with B happening every time A occurs. This meaning is not necessarily negative, and the phrase is not repeated.* *

そっ！あの赤いの行ったとこ世界のいろんなとこ見たくてさバイトで金貯めちゃ旅してんだ Yeah! Those red pins are the places I've been. See, I really wanna travel all over the world, And I go on a trip whenever I save up enough money working part-time.

(『あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。』 Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, vol. 1 by Okada Mari and Izumi Mitsu)

Repetition

ては can be used to emphasize two actions happening over and over, similar to ～たり～たりする. However, while たり gives several examples (out of many), ては really stresses the repetition.* These two actions can be completely unrelated, even opposite actions. The ては phrase can be repeated twice, or the order of the verbs even inverted to further emphasize the repetition. This form is only formed from verbs.

A(Verb) ては、B。 Do A and B repeatedly, every day, constantly, always. A(Verb) ては、B、AてはB。 Repeatedly A-ing and B-ing, A-ing and B-ing. A(Verb) ては、B、BてはA。 Repeatedly A-ing and B-ing, B-ing and A-ing.

When repeated twice, the two actions are opposites (ex: turn on and off, draw and erase, eat and sleep.)*

だから何度も目覚めては　確認するにゃ So I keep opening my eyes over and over, just to check. [To keep the cat pun, consider: "meowny times" instead of "over and over".]

(『おじさまと猫』 A Man and His Cat, vol. 1, by Sakurai Umi)

白と黒の２つの神様がいました白の神様はみんなに喜びを与えてやりましたしかし黒の神様はそれを取り上げては悪さばかりしていました There were two gods, one white, one black. The white god bestowed joy upon everyone. However, the black god constantly took that joy away, and wrought only evil. [Language purposely elevated to keep the fairy tale/mythic feel.]

(『とつくにの少女』 The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún, vol. 1 by Nagabe)

On top of the 3 usages above, Maggie-sensei lists a few more. Be sure to check out her page for more examples from a native speaker!

Advice & Suggestions

This one is another usage that is similar to ～たら, this time giving the advice a more elevated feel than the casual たら, or softens the impact of a straightforward ていただけませんか.

Aてはいかがでしょう。 Aてはいただけませんか。 Aては… [unfinished to allow listener to fill in the blanks]

Attempt with expected failure

ては is used to modify てみる when you're not optimistic about the outcome of an attempt.

Aてはみます。 I will at least give A a try...

J-Rock Examples:

山際も星も／ぼくらに気付いては／お話もした Both the mountain ridge and the stars / Whenever they noticed us / Told us stories as well ［赤い光線 - 交信］

東京にすがりついては／泣きじゃくって　言えやしなくて I’m always clinging to Tokyo / and crying　and I just can’t say it ［関取花 - 東京］

革靴は知らぬうちに／あのリズムを奏でては列車中に空しく響く Whenever my leather shoes unconsciously / tap out that rhythm, it echoes through the train in vain ［関取花 - 石段のワルツ］

#ちゃ #じゃ #N2 #ては #文法 #Grammar #Japanese Study #勉強 #Langblr #Studyblr #N1 #N3

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dkettchen · 6 months ago

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