JLPT N5
ている
Ongoing action / State
Structure
Verb て-form いる
How it works
The 〜ている form is used to express two main concepts: an action currently in progress (e.g., eating) or a state that remains after an action has finished (e.g., living somewhere). For activities, it functions like the English '-ing' form, while for change-of-state verbs, it indicates a current result.
Examples
今、日本語を勉強しています。
I am studying Japanese now.
田中さんはテレビを見ています。
Mr. Tanaka is watching TV.
私は東京に住んでいます。
I live in Tokyo.
Common mistakes
Mixing up progress and state; for example, using 'kekkon shimasu' (I will get married) when you mean 'kekkon shite imasu' (I am married).
Tip
To distinguish between 'action' and 'state', look at the verb. Action verbs like 'taberu' (eat) show progress, while change-of-state verbs like 'shiru' (to get to know) or 'sumu' (to reside) show a lasting result.
More JLPT N5 grammar
See ている in real Japanese
Import an article and tap any sentence using it. The explanation comes back about the sentence in front of you, not a textbook example.
Try InputDojo free