て以来te irai“since”

て以来 means since. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to describe a continuing state from a past event.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, て以来 is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker’s logic, stance, or emphasis.

What does て以来 mean?

Use て以来 when you want to describe a continuing state from a past event.

Natural translations include:

• since
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

How to form て以来

Verb て-form + 以来

Examples of the pattern:

• 日本に来て以来
• 彼に会って以来
• 卒業して以来

When is て以来 used?

Use て以来 in situations like:

• reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
• making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
• connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:

• usually neutral to formal, depending on the expression
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

て以来 example sentences

• 日本に来て以来、毎日日本語を使っている。 — Since coming to Japan, I have used Japanese every day.
• 彼に会って以来、考え方が変わった。 — Since meeting him, my way of thinking has changed.
• 卒業して以来、先生には会っていない。 — I haven’t seen my teacher since graduating.
• その事故を見て以来、運転には気をつけている。 — Since seeing that accident, I’ve been careful when driving.
• このアプリを使い始めて以来、勉強が続いている。 — Since I started using this app, I’ve kept studying.

After reading each sentence, ask what job て以来 is doing.

Nuance of て以来

The key nuance is describe a continuing state from a past event.

For example:

• In formal writing, て以来 often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with てから, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

て以来 vs てから

て以来:

• fits the N2 nuance explained above
• often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

てから:

• is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
• may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:

• 日本に来て以来、毎日日本語を使っている。
• Try rewriting the sentence with てから and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with て以来

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with てから just because the English translation overlaps
• Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with て以来, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is て以来 on the JLPT?

Yes. て以来 is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for て以来

• Write one sentence that clearly needs て以来.
• Write a second sentence with てから and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for て以来

To learn て以来 efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern’s real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare て以来 with てから and the related lessons below.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes て以来 necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• n5 te kara — after doing.
• n3 uchi ni — while; before.
• n2 ni sakidachi — prior to; before.

Learn て以来 with Hane

If you want to review て以来 together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons