Learning objectives
- Lesson goals: Master the three meanings of te imasu: ongoing action, resulting state, and habitual behavior.
- Form and connection: [Verb te-form] ています
- Nuance in real use: ています draws three layers of time in Japanese — what's happening now, the trace left after completion, and the pattern formed by repetition. One grammatical form, three senses of time.
Form and connection
Core Explanation
Master the three meanings of te imasu: ongoing action, resulting state, and habitual behavior.
Cultural Note
Practical examples
Common pitfalls
Build the base form before adding the pattern
Complete the required conjugation first. Do not keep polite and plain endings at the same time.
Match politeness to the situation
The examples are reliable starting points; relationships and context can still change the most natural wording.
Practice and answers
Show answer
[Verb te-form] ていますShow answer
I'm reading a book now.Show answer
彼かれを知しっていますか。 ([Verb te-form] ています)Continue learning
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