ているAction in progress
ている presents an action as underway at a particular time: someone is in the middle of doing something.
How it works
Use an action verb that can continue for some time, put it in the て-form, and add いる. The action is viewed from inside its duration rather than as a complete event. A word such as “now,” or a clearly stated past time, often makes the reference point explicit.
Present, past, negative, and polite forms
One moment or a regular habit?
A phrase meaning “now” makes an action-in-progress reading natural. A frequency phrase such as “every morning” can give the same form a habitual reading instead, so always read the time expression together with the verb.
More examples
母は今、本を読んでいる。
My mother is reading a book now.
Analyze子どもたちは公園で遊んでいます。
The children are playing in the park.
Analyze午後三時ごろ、私は会議で話していた。
At around three in the afternoon, I was speaking at a meeting.
Analyzeそのとき、雨は降っていませんでした。
It was not raining at that time.
Analyze今、パソコンを使っていない。
I am not using the computer now.
Analyze猫がソファで寝ている。
A cat is sleeping on the sofa.
Analyze