～ている (state)
A state that lasts after an action
You’ll be able to describe lasting conditions that remain after an action has finished.
窓が開いています。
mado ga aite imasu.
What do you think this sentence means?
The window is open.
Describe a state that resulted from a change
With some verbs, ～ている describes the state that exists after a change happened rather than an action currently unfolding.
田中さんは結婚しています。
tanaka-san wa kekkon shite imasu.
Tanaka is married.
Change-of-state verb + ている
Use ～ている with verbs whose action creates a continuing state. Learn common verbs together with the state they express.
田中さんは結婚しています。
tanaka-san wa kekkon shite imasu.
Tanaka is married.
東京に住んでいます。
toukyou ni sunde imasu.
I live in Tokyo.
眼鏡をかけています。
megane o kakete imasu.
He/She is wearing glasses.
Do not always translate it as “is doing”
The natural English translation may be a simple state such as “closed,” “open,” “live,” or “be married.”
Verb-ている can describe a continuing result or state.
ドアが閉まっています。
doa ga shimatte imasu.
The door is closed.
窓が開いています。
mado ga aite imasu.
The window is open.
電気がついています。
denki ga tsuite imasu.
The light is on.
～ている in progress vs as a state
The form is identical; the verb decides the meaning. An action verb gives “is doing”. A verb that describes a change gives the state left behind once the change is over.
State
窓が開いています。
mado ga aite imasu.
The window is open.
開く is a change, so ている is the result, not the opening itself.
In progress
子どもが遊んでいます。
kodomo ga asonde imasu.
A child is playing.
遊ぶ is an ongoing action, so ている is what is happening now.
窓が開いています。
mado ga aite imasu.
The window is open.
ドアが閉まっています。
doa ga shimatte imasu.
The door is closed.
部屋の電気がついています。
heya no denki ga tsuite imasu.
The light in the room is on.
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