〜て以来 — JLPT N3 Grammar
Learn 〜て以来 (ever since ~) — the N3 pattern for expressing a persistent state that has continued uninterrupted since a past event.
Pattern: 〜て以来
Structure: Verb (TE-form) + 以来 / Noun + 以来
Formality: Standard to Formal
Meaning: "ever since ~, since ~ [state has continued to now]"
Explanation
〜て以来 expresses that a state or situation has continued without interruption ever since a past turning point. It always looks from the present moment back to a specific past event that created a change, and it implies the change established then is still ongoing now.
Key characteristics:
- The past event marks a turning point
- The state that follows has continued to the present
- Often carries emotional weight (nostalgia, regret, determination)
- The second clause is typically in the present/progressive tense (〜ている, 〜ていない)
Example Sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 日本に来て以来、日本語を勉強し続けている。 | にほんにきていらい、にほんごをべんきょうしつづけている。 | Nihon ni kite irai, Nihongo o benkyō shi tsuzukete iru. | Ever since I came to Japan, I have continued studying Japanese. |
| 彼女と別れて以来、連絡をとっていない。 | かのじょとわかれていらい、れんらくをとっていない。 | Kanojo to wakarete irai, renraku o totte inai. | Ever since we broke up, I have not been in contact. |
| その事故以来、車を運転するのが怖くなった。 | そのじこいらい、くるまをうんてんするのがこわくなった。 | Sono jiko irai, kuruma o unten suru no ga kowaku natta. | Ever since that accident, I have become afraid of driving. |
| 大学を卒業して以来、故郷に帰っていない。 | だいがくをそつぎょうしていらい、こきょうにかえっていない。 | Daigaku o sotsugyō shite irai, kokyō ni kaette inai. | Ever since graduating from university, I haven't returned to my hometown. |
| 子どものころ以来、彼に会っていない。 | こどものころいらい、かれにあっていない。 | Kodomo no koro irai, kare ni atte inai. | I haven't seen him since we were children. |
Common Mistakes
❌ 昨日以来、元気だ。(too short a time period — 以来 implies extended ongoing state)
✓ 回復して以来、ずっと元気だ。— 以来 is for states that have persisted over a significant period.
❌ 日本に来て以来、来週旅行する。(future intention — incompatible with 以来)
✓ 日本に来て以来、旅行していない。— Result clause must describe the ongoing present state.
Comparison with Similar Patterns
| Pattern | Meaning | Duration | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜て以来 | Ever since (ongoing state from past) | Extended to present | 卒業して以来会っていない |
| 〜てから | After doing ~ (then next action) | Sequential, not ongoing | 食べてから出かけた |
| 〜てから〜ている | Since doing ~ (ongoing) | Can overlap with 以来 | 来てからずっと雨だ |
| 〜ぶりに | After an interval (returning) | Gap + reunion | 3年ぶりに会った |