Japanese grammar
What does ～くて／～で（connecting adjectives） mean? Japanese grammar N5
～くて／～で（connecting adjectives） means ~ and ~ (connects two adjectives).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | いAdj (drop い) + くて なAdj + で |
| Romaji | ~ kute / ~ de |
| Meaning | ~ and ~ (connects two adjectives) |
How to use it
Connects multiple adjectives in one sentence.
- い-adjective: drop い and add くて — 安い → 安くて.
- な-adjective: add で — 静か → 静かで.
- The connected adjectives should SHARE THE SAME TONE (both positive or both negative). If they contrast, use が (but) instead.
- Exception: いい → よくて.
Examples
この店は安くておいしいです。
This shop is cheap and delicious.
この部屋は静かで広いです。
This room is quiet and spacious.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong安いておいしいです。
It's cheap and delicious.
Correct安くておいしいです。
When connecting sentences, an い-adjective must change い → くて.
-
Wrongこの店は安くて高いです。
This shop is both cheap and expensive.
Correctこの店は安いですが、遠いです。
くて only connects ideas going the SAME direction; contrasting ideas must use が (but).