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10 MINUTE LESSON

VERBS - ~te iru

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GRAMMAR

10 MINUTE LESSON RULES: 1. read each example outloud several times. 2. Pay close attention to the notes.

One important verb form is ~te iru. It can be compared with the English "be ~ing." Let's do some studyING!

A Prelude...
BEFORE THE LESSON YOU NEED TO KNOW...
  • Basically how to make the te form.
    1. のむ nomu のん nonde (to drink)
    2. たべる taberu たべtabete (to eat)
    3. する suru shite (to do)
  • います is the masu form of いる
始めましょう! Let's begin...

KEY SENTENCE: Please repeat several times:

何をしていますか?
nani wo shite imasu ka?
What are you doING?
勉強しています
ben kyou shite imasu
I am studyING

NOTE: Just like the English ~ing, it is assumed the action started in the past and continues now.

To use the form, change the first verb into the 'te' form. Then add the 'iru' or 'imasu.'


NOTE: Sometimes the English doesn't use ~ing. But it still describes what is being done NOW.

ゴジラは怒っています。
gojira wa okotte imasu.
Godzilla is angry. (angrying)

私は熊のプーさんをかっこいいと思っています
watashi wa kuma no pu- san wo kakkoii to omotte imasu.
I think Winnie the Pooh is cool.
(
思っています omotteimasu - thinking or even now I think...)


NOTE: You may also use this form when stating things that are done on a regular basis: (even if you are not presently doing the activity)

毎日、日本語を一時間勉強しています。
mai nichi, nihongo wo ichi jikan benkyou shite imasu.
Everyday, I study Japanese for an hour.


MORE EXAMPLES:

  • 泣いている naite iru (or 泣いています) "be cryING"
  • 話している hanashite iru "be talkING"  
  • スカイダイビングしている sukaidaibingu shite iru "be skydivING"

NOTE: Last thing - One exception: Movement verbs

  • 日本に行っている。nihon ni itte iru. (He) went to Japan. (and is still there)
  • ここに来ています。koko ni kite imasu. (He) came here. (and is still here)
  • うちに帰っています。uchi ni kaette imasu. (He) returned home. (and is still there)

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Last updated:
Monday, May 01, 2000