〜て以来
te irai
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
"ever since ~" — a state that has continued without interruption since a past event.
The event is a one-off in the past, and the situation has held ever since. Don't use it for recent or repeated events.
Talking about long-running situations since graduation, marriage, moving, an accident.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V-て + 以来N + 以来 (あの事故以来, 卒業以来)
Visual diagram
- 日本に来てstarting event (て-form)
- 以来、ever since
- ずっとcontinuously
- この町に住んでいる。continuing state
Natural examples
卒業して以来、彼に会っていない。
そつぎょうしていらい、かれにあっていない。
I haven't seen him since we graduated.
日本に来て以来、ずっとこの町に住んでいる。
にほんにきていらい、ずっとこのまちにすんでいる。
Ever since I came to Japan, I've lived in this town.
結婚して以来、彼はすっかり変わった。
けっこんしていらい、かれはすっかりかわった。
He has completely changed since he got married.
あの事故以来、彼は車を運転しなくなった。
あのじこいらい、かれはくるまをうんてんしなくなった。
Ever since that accident, he has stopped driving.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜てから
Neutral "after"; can be used for recent events and single actions. 以来 needs a continuing state.
〜てからというもの (N1)
Emotional version: "ever since, things have been different".
〜から (time)
Simple starting point: 三時から. 以来 adds "ever since that event".
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 今朝起きて以来、何も食べていない。
- ✓
- 今朝起きてから、何も食べていない。
- Why
- 以来 is for events well in the past, not this morning.
- ✗
- 卒業して以来、彼に一度会った。
- ✓
- 卒業してから、彼に一度会った。
- Why
- A one-time event in the main clause needs てから; 以来 needs a continuing state.
- ✗
- 卒業した以来
- ✓
- 卒業して以来
- Why
- Use the て-form before 以来.
The event must be reasonably far in the past (not 今朝食べて以来). Main clause is a continued state, not a one-time event. 〜てから is more neutral. Set phrases: 入社以来, 結婚以来, 生まれて以来.
JLPT N3 tips
On the exam
- A past starting event + a continuing state (ずっと, 一度も〜ない, 〜ていない) = 以来.
- If the main clause is a single completed action, choose てから instead; this is the designed trap.
- Form check: て-form + 以来 or noun + 以来.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜て以来 mean?
"ever since ~" — a state that has continued without interruption since a past event. The event is a one-off in the past, and the situation has held ever since. Don't use it for recent or repeated events.
How do you form 〜て以来?
V-て + 以来 / N + 以来 (あの事故以来, 卒業以来). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜て以来 used?
Talking about long-running situations since graduation, marriage, moving, an accident.
What is the difference between 〜て以来 and 〜てから?
Neutral "after"; can be used for recent events and single actions. 以来 needs a continuing state.
What is the difference between 〜て以来 and 〜てからというもの (N1)?
Emotional version: "ever since, things have been different".
What is a common mistake with 〜て以来?
Wrong: 今朝起きて以来、何も食べていない。 Right: 今朝起きてから、何も食べていない。 以来 is for events well in the past, not this morning.
Quick check
大学を卒業して（ ）、一度も故郷に帰っていない。