JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N5 grammar · Chapter 13

~ている (repeated action)

Things you do regularly

You’ll be able to describe habits and routines that you repeat regularly over time.

Illustration of the scene described by Kenta runs every week.
Read it first

健太けんたさんは毎週まいしゅうランニングをしています。

kenta-san wa maishuu ranningu o shite imasu.

What do you think this sentence means?

Kenta runs every week.

Why it means that

Describe an action that happens repeatedly

~ている can describe a repeated activity or routine when context shows that it happens regularly rather than right now.

Example

毎朝まいあさ、公園こうえんを走はしっています。

maiasa, kouen o hashitte imasu.

I run in the park every morning.

How it is built

Verb-ている + frequency context

Use ~ている and include a frequency expression or context that makes the repeated habit clear.

Verb-て+いる/います+Frequency context
Examples

毎日まいにち、日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしています。

mainichi, nihongo o benkyou shite imasu.

I study Japanese every day.

週末しゅうまつはよく料理りょうりしています。

shuumatsu wa yoku ryouri shite imasu.

I often cook on weekends.

毎朝まいあさ、この電車でんしゃに乗のっています。

maiasa, kono densha ni notte imasu.

I take this train every morning.

Compare

~ている now vs ~ている as a habit

The same form again, and this time the time words decide. 今 makes it this moment; 毎日 or 毎朝 makes it an ongoing habit.

  • Habit

    毎朝まいあさ、公園こうえんを走はしっています。

    maiasa, kouen o hashitte imasu.

    I run in the park every morning.

    毎朝 spreads the action across many mornings.

  • Right now

    今いま、公園こうえんを走はしっています。

    ima, kouen o hashitte imasu.

    I am running in the park now.

    今 pins it to this moment.

Examples

父ちちは毎朝まいあさ、新聞しんぶんを読よんでいます。

chichi wa maiasa, shinbun o yonde imasu.

My father reads the newspaper every morning.

母ははは毎晩まいばん、音楽おんがくを聞きいています。

haha wa maiban, ongaku o kiite imasu.

My mother listens to music every evening.

姉あねは毎週まいしゅう土曜日どようびにスーパーで買い物かいものをしています。

ane wa maishuu doyoubi ni suupaa de kaimono o shite imasu.

My older sister shops at the supermarket every Saturday.

10 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.