Tabete

Tabete is the te-form of the Japanese verb taberu, meaning “to eat.” It is written 食べて (or たべて) in Japanese. As a te-form, it is a flexible grammatical tool used to connect actions, to form requests, and to introduce clauses in sentences.

Formation and basic uses: Tabete is formed from taberu by replacing the final -る with -て, since taberu is a ru-verb. The te-form is used to connect actions (eat and then go, tabete iku), to create polite requests when followed by kudasai (tabete kudasai, “please eat”), and to introduce subordinate clauses in compound sentences (食べてから出かけます, “I’ll go out after eating”). It also appears in expressions like 食べてみる (tabete miru), meaning “try eating” or “have a taste.”

Examples: 食べてください means “Please eat.” これを食べて means “Eat this.” 食べてから出かけます means “I’ll go out after eating.” 食べてみる means “try eating / have a taste.” These illustrate how tabete functions both as a linking form and as the basis for polite requests or intent.

Notes: The te-form is widespread in both spoken and written Japanese and is typically written with the kanji 食べて or in kana たべて. In polite writing, speakers commonly use 食べてください. In casual speech, tabete can appear in imperatival or abbreviated commands, depending on context and tone.

See also: Japanese grammar, te-form, taberu.