The ~ te form is a useful form of the Japanese verb. It does not indicate tense by itself, however it combines with other verb forms to create other tenses. It has many other uses as well. To make the ~ te form, replace the final ~ ta of the informal past tense of the verb with ~ te, and ~ da with ~ de. Learn the ~ te form of the basic verbs.
Here are some examples.

• nonda （???） - nonde （???）
• tabeta （???） - tabete （???）

• kita （??） - kite （??）

Here are some other functions of the ~ te form.

(1) Request: the ~ te form kudasai

• Mite kudasai. （???????） - Please look.
• Kiite kudasai. （????????） - Please listen.

(2) The present progressive: the ~ te form iru or imasu (formal)

• Hirugohan o tabete iru. （??????????） - I am having lunch.
• Terebi o mite imasu. （??????????） - I am watching TV.

It is also used to describe a habitual action and a condition.

(3) Listing successive actions

It is used to connect two or more verbs. The ~ te form is used after all but the last sentence in a sequence.

• Hachi-ji ni okite gakkou ni itta. （?????????????） - I got up at eight and went to school.
• Depaato ni itte kutsu o katta. （??????????????） - I went to department store and bought shoes.

(4) Asking permission: the ~ te form mo ii desu ka.

• Terebi o mite mo ii desu ka. （?????????????） - May I watch TV?
• Tabako o sutte mo ii desu ka. （??????????????） - May I smoke?