N3Chapter 44Unit 1 · Intermediate Foundations

Preparing and Completing Actions

Learning objectives

  • Use 〜ておく to prepare or leave something ready.
  • Separate neutral completion from the regret or surprise of 〜てしまう.
  • Use 〜てみる for a trial and 〜ていく / 〜てくる for change over time.
  • Recognize casual contractions such as 〜とく and 〜ちゃう.
N3 context

At N3, the て-form helps you describe an action’s place in time: what you prepare before an event, what you finish completely, what you try for the first time, and how a change moves toward or away from the present. These patterns make everyday plans and stories much more precise.

Vocabulary語彙
5 terms

  • 準備

    noun

    じゅんび

    junbi

    preparation

  • 片付ける

    verb

    かたづける

    katazukeru

    to put away; tidy

  • うっかり

    adv

    うっかり

    ukkari

    carelessly; by mistake

  • 慣れる

    verb

    なれる

    nareru

    to get used to

  • 増える

    verb

    ふえる

    fueru

    to increase

1. Prepare now for a later purpose: 〜ておく

Grammar文法
V ておく

means Do V in advance; do V and leave the result ready.

Formation

Verb て-form + おく. Casual: 〜ておく → 〜とく.

Examples

出発前に、切符を買っておきます。

shuppatsu mae ni, kippu o katte okimasu.

I will buy the ticket before we leave.

忘れないように、予定をカレンダーに書いておいた。

wasurenai you ni, yotei o karendaa ni kaite oita.

I wrote the plan on the calendar beforehand so I would not forget.

後で話そう。資料を読んどくね。

ato de hanasou. shiryou o yondoku ne.

Let's talk later. I will read the material beforehand.

2. Finish completely—or express regret: 〜てしまう

Grammar文法
V てしまう

means Finish completely; unfortunately / unexpectedly do V.

Formation

Verb て-form + しまう. Casual: 〜てしまう → 〜ちゃう / 〜じゃう.

Examples

レポートを今日中に書いてしまいます。

repooto o kyoujuu ni kaite shimaimasu.

I will finish writing the report today.

電車で財布を忘れてしまった。

densha de saifu o wasurete shimatta.

Unfortunately, I left my wallet on the train.

このケーキ、おいしくて全部食べちゃった。

kono keeki, oishikute zenbu tabechatta.

This cake was so good that I ate it all.

Completion is not always regret

〜てしまう can simply mean that an action is fully finished. Regret or surprise comes from the context: losing a wallet suggests an unwanted outcome; finishing a report may be positive or neutral.

3. Try it, then track the direction of change

Grammar文法
V てみる

means Try doing V and see what happens.

Formation

Verb て-form + みる.

Examples

分からない表現は、自分で調べてみてください。

wakaranai hyougen wa, jibun de shirabete mite kudasai.

Please try looking up expressions you do not understand yourself.

このアプリを使ってみたら、便利だった。

kono apuri o tsukatte mitara, benri datta.

When I tried using this app, it was useful.
Compare助詞

〜ていく and 〜てくる: where does the change point?

〜ていくFrom now onward; away from the present

これから日本語を勉強していく。

I will continue studying Japanese from now on.

〜てくるUntil now; toward the present

日本語を三年間勉強してきた。

I have studied Japanese for three years up to now.

〜ていくA gradual future change

これから暑くなっていく。

It will gradually become hotter.

〜てくるA change becoming noticeable now

少しずつ分かってきた。

I am gradually starting to understand.

4. Context dialogue: planning a weekend trip

Before the trip会話
Kenta

ホテルはもう予約しておいた？

hoteru wa mou yoyaku shite oita?

Have you already reserved the hotel?

Mai

うん。でも、帰りの切符をまだ買ってないから、今夜調べてみる。

un. demo, kaeri no kippu o mada katte nai kara, konya shirabete miru.

Yes. But I have not bought the return ticket yet, so I will try checking tonight.

Kenta

去年は予定を詰め込みすぎて、疲れてしまったよね。

kyonen wa yotei o tsumekomisugite, tsukarete shimatta yo ne.

Last year we planned too much and ended up exhausted, right?

Mai

そうだね。今回はゆっくり旅行していこう。

sou da ne. konkai wa yukkuri ryokou shite ikou.

Right. This time, let's travel at an easy pace.

5. Guided practice and reading

  1. “I will save the file beforehand.”
  2. “I accidentally deleted the file.”
  3. “Try asking the staff member.”
  4. “I have gradually become able to understand fast Japanese.”
Check your answers
  1. ファイルを保存しておきます。
  2. うっかりファイルを消してしまいました。
  3. 店員さんに聞いてみてください。
  4. 速い日本語が少しずつ分かってきました。

日本に来る前に、必要な書類を準備しておきました。最初の一週間は道に迷ってしまうこともありましたが、毎日外に出てみました。今では近所の店や駅まで、一人で行けるようになってきました。

Reading check: Identify the preparation, the unwanted result, the attempt, and the change up to the present.

Translation: “Before coming to Japan, I prepared the necessary documents. During the first week, I sometimes ended up getting lost, but I tried going out every day. Now I am gradually becoming able to go alone to nearby shops and the station.”

6. Communication and flashcard review

Describe a future event: name one thing you will prepare with 〜ておく, one thing you want to try with 〜てみる, and one change you expect with 〜ていく.

Review flashcards: 〜ておく → preparation; 〜てしまう → completion vs regret; 〜てみる → trial; 〜ていく → onward change; 〜てくる → change up to now.

Key takeawaysまとめ
  • 1〜ておく prepares an action or leaves its result ready for later.
  • 2〜てしまう can mean complete an action or express an unwanted, surprising outcome.
  • 3〜てみる means to try an action and discover the result.
  • 4〜ていく looks forward from now; 〜てくる looks back toward the present.
  • 5Casual contractions such as 読んどく and 食べちゃう are common in speech.

Knowledge Check

Practice quiz
1 / 5

Which phrase means 'prepare the documents in advance'?