JLPT N5 Grammar: 〜ている (te‑iru)
The progressive & resultant state form — “is doing” / “has been done”
JLPT N5 文法 〜ている 解説 (進行形・結果の状態)
⏱️ Study time: 6–8 minutes
〜ている (te‑iru) is the main way to express ongoing actions and resulting states in Japanese. It is formed by attaching いる to the te‑form of a verb. In polite speech it becomes 〜ています. This single form covers both “I am doing” (progressive) and “it is done / has been done” (resultant state), depending on the verb type.
Quick Summary
〜ている
Ongoing action or resultant state
Te‑form + いる (casual) / います (polite)
今本を読んでいます。いまほんをよんでいます。Ima hon o yonde imasu.
I am reading a book now.
📝 Core Pattern with 〜ている
💡 Toggle furigana, hiragana, or romaji for easier reading.
What is 〜ている?
〜ている attaches to the te‑form of a verb and adds the meaning of an ongoing action or a state that continues. In polite speech it's 〜ています. It is one of the most frequently used forms in everyday Japanese.
- With action verbs: expresses an action in progress (progressive).
- With change‑of‑state verbs: expresses a state that results from a change (resultant state).
- Conjugates: ています (polite), ていない / ていません (negative), ていた / ていました (past).
田中さんは今電話で話しています。たなかさんはいまでんわではなしています。Tanaka-san wa ima denwa de hanashite imasu.
Mr. Tanaka is talking on the phone now. (ongoing action)
⚡ How to Form 〜ている
⚡ Progressive Actions (Ongoing Events)
With action verbs (verbs that describe activities), 〜ている expresses an action that is happening right now — equivalent to the English present continuous.
It is raining now.
My mother is cooking in the kitchen.
⚡ Resultant States (Change‑of‑State Verbs)
With change‑of‑state verbs (verbs that describe a transition from one state to another), 〜ている expresses the state that continues after the change has happened. This is very different from English.
💡 Key insight: 知っている means "I know" — it's the most important resultant state verb at N5. You never say 知る to mean "I know"; the past event "came to know" led to the state "know", so you always use 知っている.
⚡ Habitual Actions & Professional Status
〜ている can also describe a person's regular activity, especially their job or daily routine.
I jog every day. (habitual)
I teach English at a school. (profession / ongoing role)
⚡ Negative & Past Forms of 〜ている
Common Mistakes (and Fixes)
JLPT N5 Practice Questions
1. How do you say “I am reading a book” politely?
2. 知っている means:
3. What is the polite negative of 食べています (I am eating)?
Test yourself with a free mock exam →
About the Instructor
Taught by Anup Sensei at Gogaku Language & Training Center in Pokhara. With real Japan experience and a focus on exam essentials, he helps students pass the JLPT with confidence.
Related Grammar
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 〜ている and 〜てある?
〜ている describes a state that resulted from an action (often focusing on the subject or the process). 〜てある describes a state resulting from an intentional action performed by someone (e.g., 窓が開けてある — the window has been left open). 〜てある is not heavily tested at N5.
Can I use 〜ている for future actions?
No. 〜ている is for present ongoing or resulting states. For future, use the dictionary form or ます form.
Is 知っている polite?
Yes — 知っています is the polite form. The casual form is 知っている. In very polite settings you might hear 存じています (zonjite imasu), but that's beyond N5.
Continue Learning
Next: てください — polite requests with the te‑form.
Learn てください →→ Explore the JLPT N5 Grammar Hub
Ready to Pass JLPT N5 with Confidence?
Join Anup Sensei's intensive course at Gogaku Language & Training Center, Pokhara. Small batches, real conversation, mock tests, and full grammar mastery.
Join Now – www.gogakueducation.com