～ている ②
State of being, Has (have) done
Structure
Verb［て］+ る(*)
(*) The い can be omitted in casual language.
Explanation
As we saw in our initial lesson on ている, this grammar form can express that an action is currently in progress. However, it can also be used with specific verbs to describe a state that continues as the result of a past action. Let's examine some common verbs that use ている to show 'the continuing result of a completed action'.
- 店は開いている。The store is open. (Existing in the state of having opened)
- 田中さんはもう駅に着いています。Mr. Tanaka has already arrived at the station. (Existing in the state of having arrived)
- そのパソコンは壊れている。That computer is broken. (Existing in the state of having broken)
- 山田さんは結婚していますか。Is Ms. Yamada married? (Existing in the state of having gotten married)
In English, many of these situations are expressed with the simple past tense or a present state ('is broken', 'is married'). In Japanese, however, the focus is on the current state that resulted from a past event. Once a store has opened, it is in a state of 'being open'. Once a person has arrived, they are in a state of 'having arrived'. Once something has broken, it is in a state of 'being broken', and so forth.
Fun Fact
A helpful way to determine if a verb uses the ている form to express a resultant state is to consider if the action can happen again immediately. For example, a door cannot 'close' again if it is already closed. A person cannot 'get married' again if they are already married. While this tip doesn't apply to every single verb, it is a reliable guide for the vast majority of verbs that follow this pattern.
- ドアが閉まっている。The door is closed. (Existing in the state of having closed)
The door has already been closed and remains in that state, so it cannot be closed again. Therefore, ている is used.
Examples
山田さんは痩せていない。
Mr. Yamada isn't thin. (Mr. Yamada is in the state of not being thin)
友達はもう駅に着いています。
My friend has already arrived at the station. (My friend has arrived and is now at the station)
デパートはもう開いています。
The department store is already open. (The department store has opened and remains open)
姉は留学しています。
My older sister is studying abroad. (My older sister has gone to study abroad and is there now)
この椅子は壊れている。
This chair is broken. (This chair is in a state of being broken)
電気がついている。
The light is on. (The light has been turned on and remains on)
父は出かけています。
My father is out. (My father has gone out and is still out)
私はまだ運転免許を持っていません。
I don't have a driver's license yet. (I am not in the state of possessing a driver's license)
ああ、めっちゃ疲れてる。
Ah, I'm so tired. (I am in the state of being tired)
彼はソファで寝ています。
He is sleeping on the sofa. (...he is in the state of sleeping...)
「彼女の住所、覚えてる？」
「ううん、忘れた。」
'Do you remember her address?' (Is her address in your memory and still there?)
'Nah, I forgot.'
子犬を見て、彼女は喜んでいる。
She is delighted to see the puppy. (She became delighted and continues to be delighted)