beginner

〜ています

Learn how to describe actions happening right now in Japanese using the polite 〜ています form.

To describe an action that is currently ongoing (like "-ing" in English), Japanese verbs are changed into their te-form followed by います (or ています in polite speech):

読んでいます

I am reading a book.

For activity verbs, します becomes しています:

テニスしています

I am playing tennis.

Practice

Follow along with these examples to strengthen your understanding.

Assistant

今何をしていますか?

What are you doing now?

コーヒー飲んでいます

I am drinking coffee.

Assistant

本を読んでいますか?

Are you reading a book?

読んでいます

I am reading a book.

Assistant

テニスをしていますか?

Are you playing tennis?

テニスしています

I am playing tennis.

Assistant

部屋を掃除していますか?

Are you cleaning the room?

部屋掃除しています

I am cleaning the room.

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〜ています | Ringoo