If you’re like me and mostly want to speak Japanese, not read or write it, this post is for you. Everything here is written in romaji (the Romanized version of Japanese). If you’re interested in learning hiragana, katakana, or kanji, I recommend using other resources, or even asking ChatGPT for a custom plan.
(Feel free to check out the r/languagelearning and r/LearnJapanese subreddits for extra resources or recommendations).
🔰 I don’t have any certificates, just a learner sharing what I know, so if I get something wrong, feel free to double-check or correct me!
💬 I’m still learning Japanese too, (on my journey from bronze to grandmaster), I document everything in my weekly language progress logs.
Every week I post a page with:
- A short speaking video or update
- My test assessment
- Notes and improvements
- What rank I’m at (from Bronze to Grandmaster)
👉 Check out the Language Progress Glossary Here
The Japanese present continuous form (te-iru / te-imasu) is equivalent to the “-ing” form in English. It describes an action that is happening right now at the moment of speaking.
Example:
- I am eating. → Tabete iru
Key Notes Before We Start
- Iru by itself means “to exist” for living things (more on this in the iru/aru page).
- The present continuous is made by taking the verb’s -te form and adding iru (informal) or imasu (formal).
- The -te form is also used for other grammar points, so it’s worth mastering early.
- Two meanings of te iru:
- Progressive – action in progress (Benkyou shite iru → “I am studying”)
- Resultative – state after completion (Kekkon shite iru → “I am married”)
📌 See also:
Step 1: Make the Verb’s -Te Form
Below are the main -te form rules with one example each:
| Verb Group / Ending | Rule | Example Verb | -Te Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ichidan (-iru/-eru) | Drop -ru → +te | taberu, to eat | tabete |
| Godan (-u) | -u → -tte | au, to meet | atte |
| Godan (-mu/-bu/-nu) | → -nde | yomu, to read | yonde |
| Godan (-ku) | → -ite | kaku, to write | kaite |
| Godan (-gu) | → -ide | oyogu, to swim | oyoide |
| Godan (-su) | → -shite | hanasu, to speak | hanashite |
| Irregular – Suru | suru, to do | shite | |
| Irregular – Kuru | kuru, to come | kite |
Step 2: Add Iru
Once you have the -te form, add iru for casual speech or imasu for polite speech.
1. Casual Present Continuous (te-ru form)
In everyday conversation, the i in iru often gets dropped, turning te iru → teru.
Example:
- Ima mikan tabeteru. – I’m eating a mandarin orange.
- Nani yonderu no? – What are you reading?
- Soko de matte ru. – I’m waiting there.
- Yoru made hashitteru. – I’m running until night.
- Kare wa terebi mite ru. – He’s watching TV.
2. Standard Informal (te-iru form)
This is the “textbook” casual way.
Example:
- Kasa o motte iru. – I’m holding an umbrella.
- Yama no shita de shashin totte iru. – I’m taking a picture at the foot of the mountain.
- Inu ga nete iru. – The dog is sleeping.
- Kodomo-tachi wa asonde iru. – The children are playing.
- Kono hon o benkyou shite iru. – I’m studying this book.
3. Polite (te-imasu form)
Use the -masu form for formal situations.
Example:
- Kasa o motte iru. – I’m holding an umbrella.
- Yama no shita de shashin totte iru. – I’m taking a picture at the foot of the mountain.
- Inu ga nete iru. – The dog is sleeping.
- Kodomo-tachi wa asonde iru. – The children are playing.
- Kono hon o benkyou shite iru. – I’m studying this book.
Summary
The present continuous form is one of the most frequently used patterns in Japanese. Once you can make the -te form, adding iru or imasu is straightforward.
Quick formula:
Verb (in -te form) + iru → Present continuous
🧠 Practice Tips:
- Make flashcards with verbs/adjectives + their -te forms, then add re/ire/imasu.
- Use ChatGPT to quiz you with conversations.
- Try making your own sentences and get feedback!
🧱 Why I Learn This Way
While I continue learning Japanese and other languages, I also make money online through beermoney apps. It’s not much, but it helps me feel like I’m turning my free time into something more productive and fun.
👇 Check out my glossaries below
💸 Beermoney Glossary:
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👉 Beermoney reviews
📈 Monthly Earnings Tracker:
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🌍 Language Learning Glossary:
Curious what languages I’m learning? Check out my Language Learning Glossary for weekly progress updates. I post short speaking videos, track my progress, share my personal study notes, and break down the rank criteria I follow.
👉 Language progress