The Final Particle て
Particle classification is very important to keep in mind as you learn more about particles. The particle て discussed in this lesson is a final particle, meaning that it serves some emotional directive at the end of a sentence. This て should not be confused with the conjunctive particle て.
The Final Particle て
Making light commands, whether they are in the affirmative or negative sense, utilize the particle て with the option of there being a version of “to give (from the perspective of the giver)” following after it.
| Speech Register | Affirmative | Negative |
| Honorific | ～てくださいませんか | ～ないでくださいませんか |
| Very Formal | ～てくださいませ | ～ないでくださいませ |
| Polite | ～てくれませんか ～てくれますか ～てください | ～ないでくれませんか ～ないでくれますか ～ないでください |
| Plain Speech | ～て | ～ないで |
| Vulgar Speech | ～てくれ | ～ないでくれ |
Learning the exact implications of these endings based on the speech register does take time, but forming a question out of a request naturally makes the sentence politer. Note that this list is not exhaustive as you can also use the verb くれる to change a light command into a gentle request in plain speech (ex. やってくれない？ = “could you do this (for me)?”)
As for how the definition of “final particle” applies to this, when used without a verb for “to give,” it falls into this category.
1. ちょっと待って。（Casual)
Hold on.
2. 払い戻しをしてください。
Please refund this.
3. 助けて！
Help!
4. 教科書を｛閉じて・しまって｝テストを受けてください。
Please do your test by closing your textbooks.
5. やめてくれ！
Quit it!
6. これを見てくれない？
Look at this.
7. タクシーを呼んでください。
Please call a taxi (for me).
8. はやく急いで！
Hurry quickly!
9. もっとゆっくりと話してくれませんか。
Could you please speak more slowly.
10. 速くしてよ！
(Do it) faster!
11. まっすぐ行ってください。
Please go straight.
12. 座布団を敷いてください。
Please sit on a cushion.
Culture Note: 座布団 are floor cushions used instead of chairs in traditional Japanese rooms.
13a. 見ていて！
13b. 見てて！
Be watching!
Contraction Note: ～てて is the contraction of ～ていて.
14. ごゆっくり召し上がってくださいませ。(Very Formal)
Please take your time when eating.
15. 見つめないで！
Don’t stare (at me)!
16. 気にしないでください。
Please don’t worry (about it).
17. お気になさらないでください（ませ）。(Very Formal)
Please don’t worry (about it).
▽Emphasizing a Light Command
The final particles よ and や are often seen after the final particle て to emphasize the command with their respective emotional flares. よ adds a bit of urgency to the matter, whereas や often gives off a scolding tone.
18. じゃあ、私に服を買ってこないでよ。
Then, don’t be coming with clothes for me!
19. もう勘弁してくださいよお。
Ugh, give me a break already, please.
20. なんとかしてや。
Do somethin’ about it.
The Copula + Final Particle て
The final particle て may also follow plain forms of the copula to tell someone to do something or to give some sort of instruction/warning. This, though, is uncommon and is considered dialectal.
21. 大変なことじゃて。（Dialectal)
That’s a horrible thing!