In Lesson 7, you’ll learn one of the most useful verb forms in Japanese: the 「〜ている」 (-te iru) form. This form is used to describe an ongoing action or a state that is the result of a change. You’ll also learn how to connect adjectives and nouns to make more complex sentences.
The 「〜ている」 Form: Action in Progress
The most common use of the 「〜ている」 form is to describe an action that is currently happening, just like the “-ing” form in English. You use the verb’s te-form and add 「います」 (imasu).
- verb te-form + います
Examples:
- メアリーさんは 日本語を勉強しています。Mary is studying Japanese.(She is studying Japanese right now.)
- 私は 本を読んでいます。I am reading a book.(I am reading a book at this moment.)
The negative form is 「〜ていません」 (-te imasen).
- 私は 何も 食べていません。I am not eating anything.
The 「〜ている」 Form: Result of a Change
This is a tricky but very important use of the 「〜ている」 form. It describes a state that is the result of a past action. These are verbs of state, and they often describe a physical condition or an action that has been completed and whose result is still in effect.
Examples:
- けっこんしています (kekkon shite imasu)is married (the state of being married, which is the result of the action “to marry”)
- 知っています (shitte imasu)knows (the state of having acquired knowledge)
- 住んでいます (sunde imasu)lives (the state of having moved to and residing in a place)
Important: You don’t use 「います」 with verbs like 「います」 or 「あります」. The verb 「いる」 is used for existence.
Describing a Person: 「〜は [noun] が [adjective] です」
Japanese has a special way to describe a person’s features. You use the particle 「が」 (ga) to highlight the specific feature you are describing.
- Aさん は 髪 (かみ – hair) が 長いです。A has long hair.(Literally: “As for A, hair is long.”)
- メアリーさんは 目が 大きいです。Mary has big eyes.
Joining Sentences with Adjectives and Nouns
Just like the verb te-form, you can use a “te-form” for adjectives and nouns to connect sentences. This is a great way to make your sentences sound more natural.
「い-adjectives」
Drop the final い and add くて (kute).
- この 部屋は 広くて 明るいです。This room is spacious and bright.
「な-adjectives」 and Nouns
Add で (de) after the adjective or noun.
- メアリーさんは きれいで 親切です。Mary is pretty and kind.
- この レストランは 有名で 安いです。This restaurant is famous and cheap.
Mastering these grammar patterns will allow you to describe actions as they happen and paint a more vivid picture of the people and things around you.