〜ている: Progressive & State (Meaning + Examples)
What it means
〜ている is one of the most useful — and most misunderstood — patterns at N5, because the same shape covers two ideas that English keeps separate.
- Ongoing action ("be -ing"): the action is happening right now.
- Resulting state ("be in a state"): an action already happened, and its result continues.
The verb decides which reading you get, so let's look at both.
Formation
Just take the て-form of a verb and add いる (casual) or います (polite):
| Verb | て-form | 〜ている |
|---|---|---|
| 読む (to read) | 読んで | 読んでいる |
| 食べる (to eat) | 食べて | 食べている |
| する (to do) | して | している |
In casual speech the い often drops: 読んでる, 食べてる — very common in conversation.
Use 1 — ongoing action ("is doing")
With action verbs, 〜ている describes something in progress right now.
今、本を読んでいます。
いま、ほんを よんで います。
I'm reading a book now.
今 (now) makes the 'in progress' meaning clear.
雨が降っている。
あめが ふって いる。
It's raining.
Use 2 — continuing state ("is in a state")
With verbs that describe a change or a one-moment event, 〜ている describes the state after that change — not a repeated action.
電気がついている。
でんきが ついて いる。
The light is on.
Not 'the light is turning on' — it turned on, and stays on.
田中さんを知っていますか。
たなかさんを しって いますか。
Do you know Mr. Tanaka?
知っている = 'know' (a state). 知る alone means 'to come to know.'
A few verbs you'll constantly meet in this "state" sense: 知っている (know), 持っている (have), 住んでいる (live), 結婚している (be married).
A third use — habits
〜ている also covers regular, repeated actions (habits), much like English "I'm doing X these days":
毎朝ジョギングをしています。
まいあさ ジョギングを して います。
I jog every morning.
毎朝 (every morning) signals a habit, not this exact moment.
How to tell which meaning
Context and the verb type do the work:
| Form | Core idea | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Action verb + ている | happening now (progressive) | 食べている = is eating |
| Change/moment verb + ている | resulting state | 結婚している = is married |
If a verb marks a one-instant change (start, arrive, marry, die, turn on), expect the state reading. If it's a stretchable action (eat, read, run), expect the progressive reading.
Common mistakes
- Translating 知っている as a present action. It means "know" (a state). For "I don't know," the natural negative is 知らない, not 知っていない.
- Reading 結婚している as "is getting married." It means "is married" (the state). The wedding already happened.
- Forgetting the casual drop. 食べてる is just casual 食べている — same meaning, dropped い.
Quick recap
- 〜ている = て-form + いる; polite 〜ています.
- Action verbs → "is doing" (progressive).
- Change/moment verbs → "is in a state" (result).
- Also covers habits with words like 毎日 / 毎朝.
Your turn
Choose the right meaning or form of 〜ている.
Start the 5-question drill →Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 〜ている and 〜ています?
Only politeness. 〜ている is casual; 〜ています is polite. In casual speech the い often drops too: 〜てる.
Why does 知っている mean 'know' and not 'is knowing'?
知る marks the moment of 'coming to know,' so its 〜ている form describes the resulting state — you already came to know, and you still do. Hence 'know.'
How do I say 'I don't know'?
Use 知らない (casual) or 知りません (polite). 知っていない is unnatural for 'don't know.'
Can 〜ている describe a habit?
Yes. With time words like 毎日 or 最近, it expresses a regular or recent ongoing habit: 毎朝走っています ('I jog every morning').