「ている」- Progressive Aspect
Explanation
The verb form 「ている」 is one of the most important and commonly used sentence patterns in Japanese. It indicates the continuation of an action, the continuation of a state, habitual actions, and the persistence of a result state.
Grammar Pattern
| Grammar Point | Connection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Verb「て」form + 「いる」 | Verb「て」form + 「いる」 | Indicates the continuation of an action, state, habitual actions, or the persistence of a result state. |
Basic Usage
| Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Continuation of an action | Indicates that an action is currently in progress. |
| Continuation of a state | Indicates that a state has continued from the past to the present. |
| Habitual actions | Indicates actions that are repeated or habitual. |
| Persistence of a result state | Indicates that the result state of an action continues to exist after its completion. |
Examples
公園 で子供 たちが走 っている。- Kouen de kodomo-tachi ga hashitteiru.
- The children are running in the park.
朝 からずっと雨 が降 っている。- Asa kara zutto ame ga futteiru.
- It has been raining since morning.
Continuation of an Action
「ている」 is used to indicate that an action is currently in progress.
Examples
今 勉強 しているので、話 しかけないでください。- Ima benkyou shiteiru node, hanashikakenaide kudasai.
- I am studying now, so please don’t disturb me.
彼 はシャワーを浴 びている。- Kare wa shawaa o abiteiru.
- He is taking a shower.
Continuation of a State
When used with stative verbs, 「ている」 indicates the continuation of a state.
Examples
窓 が開 いている。- Mado ga aiteiru.
- The window is open.
彼 の財布 は机 の上 に置 いてある。- Kare no saifu wa tsukue no ue ni oitearu.
- His wallet is placed on the desk.
Habitual Actions
「ている」 can also indicate habitual actions, meaning actions that occur regularly.
Examples
毎朝 ジョギングしている。- Maiasa jogingu shiteiru.
- I jog every morning.
彼 は週 に三回 ジム に通 っている。- Kare wa shuu ni sankai jimu ni kayotteiru.
- He goes to the gym three times a week.
Persistence of a Result State
This usage often indicates that the result state of an action continues after its completion.
Examples
友達 からもらった花 がテーブル の上 に飾 っている。- Tomodachi kara moratta hana ga teeburu no ue ni kazatteiru.
- The flowers I received from my friend are displayed on the table.
10時 を過 ぎたから、店 はもう閉 まっている。- Juuji o sugita kara, mise wa mou shimatteiru.
- It’s past 10 o’clock, so the store is already closed.
Deep Dive
The verb form 「ている」 has multiple uses and is frequently used in daily conversations. It not only describes the ongoing state of an action but also expresses the continuation of a state or habitual behavior. This versatility allows 「ている」 to be flexibly applied in various contexts.
Comparison and Distinction
「ている」 vs. 「てある」
「ている」 is used with intransitive verbs to indicate the continuation of a state, while 「てある」 is used with transitive verbs to indicate the result of an action performed by someone.
| Expression | Usage | Example | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ている | Intransitive verb, continuation of a state | The door is open. | |
| てある | Transitive verb, result of an action performed by someone | The door has been opened. |
Real-Life Scenarios
- Used in daily conversations to describe ongoing activities or habits.
- Used in news reports to describe ongoing events or states.
- Used in letters or emails to describe recent activities or situations.
Summary
The verb form 「ている」 is an essential grammar point in Japanese learning. Mastering its various uses and distinguishing it from similar grammar points like 「てある」 is crucial for improving Japanese comprehension and expression. Through rich examples and detailed explanations, one can better understand and apply 「ている」 in real-life scenarios.