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When you see a car moving in front of you, use this pattern to tell someone what is happening now.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 2

〜が〜ています~ga ~te imasu

current action or state

Use 「〜が〜ています」 to describe what is happening now or the current state of something you observe.

How it works

  1. When you see a car moving in front of you, use this pattern to tell someone what is happening now.

    When you see a car moving in front of you, use this pattern to tell someone what is happening now.

  2. A congested road is also a scene you see now. 「ています」 can describe a state, too.

    A congested road is also a scene you see now. 「ています」 can describe a state, too.

  3. Put what you are describing before 「が」: for a moving car, say 「車が」; for a congested road, say 「道が」.

    Put what you are describing before 「が」: for a moving car, say 「車が」; for a congested road, say 「道が」.

  4. Follow it with 「が＋verb in て-form＋います」. If the て-form ends in 「で」, keep 「で」.

    Follow it with 「が＋verb in て-form＋います」. If the て-form ends in 「で」, keep 「で」.

  5. In the dialogue, 「開いています」 is read 「あいています」 and tells you that the sauna is open now.

    In the dialogue, 「開いています」 is read 「あいています」 and tells you that the sauna is open now.

  6. 「開いて」 means open; 「空いて」 means there is space available. When they sound the same, use the context to understand them.

「開いて」 means open; 「空いて」 means there is space available. When they sound the same, use the context to understand them.

  • The other person has already asked about the sauna, so 「サウナは」 continues that topic. The reply still describes the current situation.

    The other person has already asked about the sauna, so 「サウナは」 continues that topic. The reply still describes the current situation.

  • In the example, 「混んでいます」 means the road is congested now; it does not have to mean it is becoming congested.

    In the example, 「混んでいます」 means the road is congested now; it does not have to mean it is becoming congested.

    • Example sentences

    • 車くるまkurumaがga走っはしっhashiてteいます。いますimasu

      Cars are running.

    • 道みちmichiがga混んこんkonでdeいます。いますimasu

      The road is crowded.

    In a conversation

    • A
      スポーツすぽーつセンターせんたーはわ空いあいていますか。か

      A: Is the sports center empty?

    • B
      いいえ、いいえ今温泉いまおんせんが混んこんでいます。います

      B: No, the hot spring is crowded right now.

    • A
      そうですか。かサウナさうなはわどうですか。か

      A: I see. How about the sauna?

    • B
      サウナさうなはわ開いあいていますよ。よ

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      The hot spring is crowded.

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

      レストランが 。

      The restaurant is closed.

    More grammar in this theme

    • もう〜ましたか／まだ〜ていませんalready done or not yet
    • 〜てきますgo and come back
    • 〜が見えます／聞こえますunintentional seeing or hearing
    • 〜てもいいですかasking for permission
    • 〜ないでくださいpolite request not to act
    • 〜が〜ていますcurrent action or state
    • 〜ができますpossible activity or ability
    • 〜くなります／になりますchange into a new state
    Previous〜ないでくださいNext〜ができます

    Keep practising

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    Beginner 2
    Doing Things with Others

    B: The sauna is open.