JLPT N4 grammar
〜ている (state) — Meaning & Examples
Beyond just "is doing" — also describes current states from past actions: 結婚しています (am married), 知っています (I know), 住んでいます (I live in ~).
〜ている — "Is Doing" and "State of Being"
You know 〜ています from N5, but N4 uses it in more interesting ways.
Basic use: ongoing action
いま勉強しています。 = I'm currently studying.
ごはんを食べています。 = I'm eating.
Extended use: resulting state
〜ている can also describe a CURRENT STATE that resulted from a past action.
結婚しています。 = I am married. (result of getting married)
知っています。 = I know. (result of having learned)
住んでいます。 = I live (in ~). (result of having moved there)
Very common examples:
どこに住んでいますか？ = Where do you live?
知っていますか？ = Do you know?
付き合っています。 = We're dating.
State vs action — same form, different feel:
走っています = is running (action happening right now)
太っています = is fat (current state — result of past change)
Tip: When describing yourself or your life situation (job, relationship, where you live), 〜ています is almost always the right choice.
にほんごを勉強しています。 = I study Japanese. (current ongoing habit)
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜ている (state). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 結婚しています means?
- I'm getting married
- I am married (current state)
- I want to marry
- I was married
Show answer
Answer: I am married (current state)
〜ている for resulting states: 結婚した (got married) → 結婚している = the state of being married. "I am married."
2. 〜みたい expresses?
- Definite fact
- Something seems/looks like
- Wanting to do
- Asking permission
Show answer
Answer: Something seems/looks like
みたい = seems like / looks like (casual). 怒っているみたい = she seems angry. Casual version of ようだ.
3. 知っています means?
- I'm learning
- I want to know
- I know (current state)
- I knew
Show answer
Answer: I know (current state)
知る = to learn/know. 知っている = to know (current state of knowing). NOT 知ります in this sense.
Practise 〜ている (state) in the free app
This point is part of the “💬 Everyday N4 — Patterns You'll Use All the Time” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: 💬 Everyday N4 — Patterns You'll Use All the Time
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ている (state) mean?
Beyond just "is doing" — also describes current states from past actions: 結婚しています (am married), 知っています (I know), 住んでいます (I live in ~).
Is 〜ている (state) on the JLPT N4 test?
〜ている (state) is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “💬 Everyday N4 — Patterns You'll Use All the Time”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜ている (state)?
Open the “💬 Everyday N4 — Patterns You'll Use All the Time” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.