ている

Progressive/resultative

Level 2Sounds Like teiru

The 〜ている pattern describes a state or action that is currently continuing. Depending on the verb, it can mean 'is doing' (progressive) or 'is in the state of having done' (resultative).

How It Works

The 〜ている pattern is one of the most versatile tools in Japanese. It is not just a simple '-ing' equivalent. Its function is divided into four main categories:

  • Progressive (Ongoing Action): Used with verbs that take time to complete (durative verbs).
    Example: 走っている（はしっている）- 'is running'.
  • Resultative (State): Used with verbs that happen instantly (momentary verbs). It describes the state that remains after the action is finished.
    Example: 結婚している（けっこんしている）- 'is married' (The act of marrying is over; the state remains).
  • Habitual/Iterative: Used to describe repeated actions, occupations, or long-term habits.
    Example: 毎朝コーヒーを飲んでいる（まいあさコーヒーをのんでいる）- 'I drink coffee every morning'.
  • Stative: A small group of verbs must use this form to describe a physical state.
    Example: 似ている（にている）- 'resembles/looks like'.

In casual speech, the 'い' is often dropped (e.g., 食べてる instead of 食べている). The auxiliary いる conjugates like a standard Ichidan (ru-verb): 〜ています (polite), 〜ていない (negative), 〜ていた (past).

Examples (5)

  1. 今、山田さんはテレビを見ています。

    Mr. Yamada is watching TV right now.

    Word by Word: Now, Yamada-san (topic) TV (object) watching is.

    This is the progressive use. The action of 'watching' is currently in progress.

  2. 窓が壊れています。

    The window is broken.

    Word by Word: Window (subject) broken is.

    This is the resultative use. The act of 'breaking' happened in the past, and the window remains in that broken state now.

  3. 私は日本に住んでいます。

    I live in Japan.

    Word by Word: I (topic) Japan in living am.

    This describes a continuous state or residence, which is a common use for this pattern.

  4. 田中さんを知っていますか。

    Do you know Mr. Tanaka?

    Word by Word: Tanaka-san (object) knowing are (question)?

    The verb 知る（しる）'to get to know' must be in the 〜ている form to mean 'to know' (the state of having acquired the knowledge).

  5. 弟は大学で教えています。

    My younger brother teaches at a university.

    Word by Word: Younger brother (topic) university at teaching is.

    This is the habitual/occupational use, describing what someone does for a living.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the dictionary form for 'knowing'.

    田中さんを知りますか。
    田中さんを知っていますか。

    In Japanese, 知る means 'to come to know' or 'to find out'. To say you currently 'know' someone, you must use the resultative 〜ている form.

  • Using 〜ている with motion verbs to mean 'on the way'.

    今、学校に行っています。
    今、学校に行く途中です。

    行っている actually means 'has gone and is currently there'. To say you are 'on the way' (progressive movement), you should use 行く途中（いくとちゅう）.

  • Using 〜ている with already stative verbs.

    本があっている。
    本がある。

    Verbs like ある and いる are already stative (they describe a state of existence). Adding 〜ている to them is redundant and ungrammatical.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ているLevel 2Progressive/resultative

Learn This First

To understand 'ている', you must first be able to conjugate verbs into the 'て' form, as this is the base to which the auxiliary is attached. You also need to be familiar with the verb 'いる' and general verb concepts to understand how this construction modifies the aspect of an action to show it is ongoing or that its result persists.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

And 14 more in the full list.

Words in This Pattern

居る