～ては
If, With, Since, Because
Structure
［い］Adjective［て］+ は
［な］Adjective + では(2)
Noun + では(2)
(1) Verb［
(2) じゃ
Explanation
The particles て and は can be joined to create a common grammatical pattern. This combination often serves to emphasize recurring activities or to evaluate a hypothetical scenario. This lesson will concentrate on its use with hypothetical scenarios, where it can be understood as 'if (A), then (B)', 'when (A) happens, (B) results', or 'given (A), (B) will follow'.
When functioning as 'if', ては typically introduces an undesirable consequence or a critical observation.
Based on the word it follows, では is sometimes used in place of ては. This occurs after nouns, な-adjectives, and verbs that conjugate with で instead of て.
- そんなにたくさん砂糖を入れては、甘すぎて食べられませんよ。If you put that much sugar in, it'll be too sweet to eat.
- こんなに高くては誰も買えないでしょう。If it's this expensive, probably no one will buy it.
- 駅からこんなに不便では、客はあまり来ないだろう。If it's this inconvenient from the station, I doubt many customers will come.
- これくらいの日本語レベルでは、あの会社の面接は受からないよ。If your Japanese level is only this high, you won't pass that company's interview.
Like many other grammar patterns involving ては or では, these are frequently contracted in casual speech to じゃ or ちゃ.
- デートがこの店じゃがっかりだよ。もっとおしゃれな所がよかったな。If the date is at this restaurant, I'll be disappointed. I was hoping for a more stylish place.
- もっと勉強しなくちゃ、テストに合格できないよ。If you don't study more, you won't be able to pass the test.
Examples
そんなにケーキばかりを食べていては、太ってしまいますよ。
If you keep eating nothing but cake, you're going to gain weight.
そんなに仕事を急いでは、ミスが多くなるよ。
If you rush your work like that, you'll make more mistakes.
部屋がこんなに暗くては、勉強ができない。
If the room is this dark, I can't study.
そんな態度では、友達ができないよ。
With an attitude like that, you won't make any friends.
現在の予算では、新しいオフィスを建てるのは不可能です。
With our current budget, building a new office is impossible.
説明がこんなに難しくては、誰も理解できないよ。
If the explanation is this difficult, no one will be able to understand it.
いつも文句を言っていては、みんなに嫌われるよ。
If you're always complaining, everyone is going to end up disliking you.
そんなに授業をサボっていては、卒業できないぞ。
If you keep skipping class like that, you won't be able to graduate.
この古いパソコンじゃ、そのソフトは動かないだろう。
With this old computer, that software probably won't run.
カバンがこんなに重くては、階段で運ぶのは無理だ。
If the bag is this heavy, it'll be impossible to carry it up the stairs.
心配ばかりしていては、楽しむことなんてできない。
If you do nothing but worry, you'll never be able to enjoy yourself.
このお金だけでは、旅行には行けないね。
With just this much money, we won't be able to go on a trip.