～て (Reasons and Causes)
And・and so, Due to, Because of, Since, Conjunctive
Structure
［い］Adjective［て］+ Phrase
［な］Adjective + で + Phrase
Noun + で + Phrase
Exceptions:
いい ￫ よくて + B
Explanation
One of the ways the conjunctive particle て functions in Japanese is to express a cause or reason, much like 'because' or 'so' in English. When using this (A) て (B) pattern, the phrase in part (B) is typically a state or feeling that is not under the direct control of the speaker.
To use this grammar point, simply attach て to the て-form of a verb or an い-Adjective. With nouns or な-Adjectives, the particle で is used instead of て.
- 試験の結果が出て、ほっとしました。I was relieved because the test results came out.
- 荷物が重くて腕が痛いです。My arm hurts because my luggage is heavy.
- この部屋はきれいで気持ちがいいです。I feel comfortable in this room because it's so clean.
- 事故でバスが来ませんでした。The bus didn't come due to an accident.
Fun Fact
The 'because' nuance of て (or で) in this structure is largely determined by the second phrase (B) describing something involuntary. It's not that て or で themselves change meaning, but that the context of an uncontrollable outcome implies the preceding phrase must be the cause. Think of it like this:
(A) て 悲しい - Being sad is an uncontrollable emotion, so (A) must be the reason for it.
(A) て 楽しい - Having fun is an uncontrollable feeling, so (A) must be the reason for it.
(A) て 残念 - Feeling disappointed is an uncontrollable emotion, so (A) must be the reason for it.
(A) て よかった - Feeling glad is an uncontrollable emotion, so (A) must be the reason for it.
(A) て 眠い - Being sleepy is an uncontrollable state, so (A) must be the reason for it.
(A) て 不安 - Feeling uneasy is an uncontrollable emotion, so (A) must be the reason for it.
Many other expressions of emotion, physical states, or situations will give て (or で) this causal meaning. The phrase てすみません also follows this logic, as すみません expresses an uncontrollable feeling of regret about the situation described before て.
Examples
この鞄は重くて持てません。
This bag is heavy and I can't carry it. (I can't carry this bag because it's too heavy)
この町は静かで住みやすいです。
This town is quiet and easy to live in. (It's easy to live here because the town is quiet)
友達に会えてとても嬉しかったです。
I was very happy because I was able to meet my friend. (I was able to meet my friend, and so I was very happy)
渋滞で約束の時間に遅れてしまいました。
I was late for my appointment due to a traffic jam. (There was a traffic jam, so I ended up being late for my appointment)
台風で飛行機が欠航になった。
The flight was canceled due to the typhoon.
説明がわかりやすくてよく理解できました。
The explanation was easy to follow, so I was able to understand it well. (I was able to understand it well because the explanation was easy to follow)
そのニュースを見て、驚きました。
I saw that news and was shocked. (I was shocked because I saw that news)
「たくさん運動して筋肉が痛いんだ。」
'I exercised a lot and now my muscles are sore.' ('My muscles are sore because I exercised a lot.')
財布を忘れて何も買えない。
I forgot my wallet, so I can't buy anything. (I can't buy anything because I forgot my wallet)
不景気で会社が倒産した。
The company went bankrupt due to the recession.
テストに落ちてがっかりしました。
I was disappointed because I failed the test. (I failed the test, so I was disappointed)
寝坊して、学校に遅刻しました。
I overslept, so I was late for school. (I was late for school because I overslept)