Build a strong foundation of Japanese with a high-frequency grammar and real-world phrases.
ている is a highly versatile Japanese grammar structure used to express actions in progress, habitual actions, ongoing states, or results of past actions. It can be translated into various forms in English, depending on the context, such as "am/are/is (doing)," "have been (doing)," "regularly (do)," "is in the state of (having done)," or "appears to be (in a state)."
By attaching いる ("to be") to the て-form of a verb, ている conveys both dynamic actions (actions currently happening or ongoing) and static conditions (a state resulting from a past action). The nuanced meaning adapts based on the verb type and context, making it a cornerstone of Japanese grammar.
The negative form, ていない, is equally significant and is used to express that an action or state is not happening, has not occurred, or is not in effect. It can often be translated as "is not (doing)," "has not (done)," or "is not in the state of (having done)."
Whether describing what is happening now, regular habits, or ongoing results of past actions, ている is an essential and flexible structure that provides clarity and depth to Japanese communication.
Structure
Verb［て］+ いる
Verb［て］+ る (casual)
Verb［て］+ います (polite)
Verb［て］+ おります (more polite)
Negative Form:
Verb［て］+ いない
Verb［て］+ ない (casual)
Verb［て］+ いません (polite)
Verb［て］+ おりません (more polite)
JLPT Level
N4
Key uses
1. Expressing present progressive actions
ている is commonly used to express actions currently in progress, similar to the English present progressive tense (e.g., "am/are/is doing"). This usage emphasizes that the action is actively happening at this moment.
[ Additional Insight ]
This usage is perfect for describing real-time actions, making it useful for conversations about current events or ongoing activities. It often appears in casual questions, like asking someone what they are doing.
2. Describing a continuous state or condition
ている can indicate a state or condition that is ongoing, often with verbs describing natural conditions or results of actions. This implies that the situation is continuously true over time without active effort from the subject.
[ Additional Insight ]
This use emphasizes long-lasting conditions or gradual changes, making it ideal for describing situations like emotional states, weather patterns, or trends.
3. Indicating regular or habitual actions
ている also expresses actions that are habitual or done regularly, similar to how the simple present tense is used in English to describe routines. This use is common for discussing activities done with regularity, such as daily habits or repeated actions.
[ Additional Insight ]
This usage emphasizes repetition over time, making it ideal for describing habits, recurring events, or established routines.
4. Expressing an existing state or current situation
ている can describe a current situation or an existing state, focusing on conditions that are currently true due to a previous action. This often applies to states that result from actions (e.g., being open, being on) that remain relevant in the present.
[ Additional Insight ]
This use highlights the ongoing relevance of a situation. It’s especially useful for describing actions or conditions that persist due to something that happened earlier, such as being open, being on, or being studied.
5. Describing a subject’s state, condition, or appearance
ている is frequently used to describe a subject’s condition, state, or physical appearance. This is especially common with descriptive verbs, where ている indicates the visible or ongoing state of a subject.
[ Additional Insight ]
This usage is ideal for describing observable states or sensed conditions, such as whether something is open, closed, on, off, crowded, or empty.
6. Casual use of てる instead of ている
In casual conversation, ている is often shortened to てる to make speech more relaxed and informal. This is very common in spoken Japanese, especially among friends and in everyday situations.
[ Additional Insight ]
This contraction adds a natural, conversational tone, making it perfect for friendly, informal communication. It’s a hallmark of spoken Japanese and rarely used in formal writing.
Comparisons
1. てある(resulting state with intentionality)
てある describes a resulting state that was intentionally created and remains for a specific purpose. In contrast, ている simply describes a state or condition without necessarily implying intentionality. Use てある when highlighting the purpose or preparation behind an action.
2. ておく (preparatory action)
ておく emphasizes doing something in advance or for future preparation, while ている focuses on the current state or condition. Use ておく when discussing actions taken with future intent or preparation.
3. ていた (past continuous)
ていた is the past continuous form, describing actions that were ongoing or habitual in the past but have since ended. In contrast, ている focuses on the present state. Use ていた to describe past states or repeated actions.
Examples
025A
025B
025C
025D
025E
025F
025G
025H