Translation guide
The English phrase 'be doing' is a grammatical structure used to form the present continuous tense. In Japanese, there is no direct equivalent; instead, learners must use the ている (te iru) form of verbs, which can express ongoing actions, current states, or habitual actions depending on context. This guide explains how to express each core meaning naturally.
Express that an action is in progress at the moment of speaking.
Attach ている to the て-form of a verb to indicate an action currently in progress. This is the most common way to express 'be doing' for dynamic actions.
今、本を読んでいる。
I am reading a book now.
彼はテレビを見ている。
He is watching TV.
Adds emphasis that the action is happening right at this moment. ところ means 'place' or 'moment', so it literally means 'in the middle of doing'.
今、出かけるところだ。
I am just about to go out.
ちょうど食べているところです。
I am just eating right now.
Express that a change has happened and the result continues to the present.
For instantaneous or change-of-state verbs (e.g., 死ぬ 'die', 結婚する 'get married'), ている indicates a state resulting from the action. This often translates to 'be doing' or 'have done' in English.
彼はもう死んでいる。
He is already dead. (He has died.)
姉は結婚している。
My older sister is married.
Express that an action is done regularly or habitually.
When used with time expressions like 毎日 (every day), ている can indicate a habitual action. This is similar to the English simple present, but can sometimes be translated as 'be doing' when emphasizing ongoing habit.
毎日ジョギングをしている。
I go jogging every day. / I am jogging every day.
彼は週末にアルバイトをしている。
He works a part-time job on weekends.
Express a planned future action, similar to 'be going to do' or 'be doing' in English.
With future time words, ている can indicate a scheduled or planned action, especially with verbs of motion or preparation.
来週、東京に行っている。
I am going to Tokyo next week.
明日の夜、友達と会っている。
I am meeting a friend tomorrow night.
Explicitly states a plan, often used in more formal or written contexts.
来月、引っ越す予定だ。
I am planning to move next month.
Express a temporary situation, such as a job or living arrangement.
Used with verbs like 住む (live), 働く (work), 通う (commute) to indicate a current but not necessarily permanent situation.
今、大阪に住んでいる。
I am living in Osaka now.
喫茶店で働いている。
I am working at a coffee shop.
English 'be doing' is a single grammatical unit. In Japanese, there is no separate word for 'be' in this context. Always use the ている form attached to the verb. Literal translations like である + すること are incorrect.
私は読んでいる。
I am reading.
The dictionary form (e.g., 読む) expresses future or habitual actions, while ている expresses ongoing actions or states. Compare: 本を読む (I will read a book / I read books) vs. 本を読んでいる (I am reading a book).
毎日本を読む。
I read books every day.
今、本を読んでいる。
I am reading a book now.
In casual speech, ている is often contracted to てる (e.g., 読んでる instead of 読んでいる). The past form ていた becomes てた.
何してるの？
What are you doing?
彼女は日本語を勉強している。
She is studying Japanese.
それについて考えている。
I am thinking about it.