This shows something happened and is still true. It is like saying 'is open' or 'is broken'.
Verb [て-form] + いるPrimary
Verb [て-form] + います
This shows something happened and is still true. It is like saying 'is open' or 'is broken'.
鈴木さんは結婚していますが、子供はいません。
Ms. Suzuki is married, but she doesn't have children.
窓が開いているから、閉めてください。
The window is open, so please close it.
部屋の電気がまだついていませんね。
The light in the room isn't on yet, is it?
私が着いた時、彼はもう死んでいた。
When I arrived, he was already dead.
壊れているパソコンを修理に出した。
I sent the broken computer out for repair.
This is different from "~te iru" for actions. "Tabete iru" means "is eating" now. "Shinde iru" means "is dead." It is also different from "~te aru." "Mado ga aite iru" means the window is open. "Mado ga akete aru" means someone opened it on purpose.
Watch out: Some verbs are tricky. '結婚している' means you are already married. It does not mean you are getting married now. '知っている' means you know something. It does not mean you are learning it now. You usually say '知っています' to say 'I know'.
Don't use this when you mean an action is happening right now. For example, '食べている' means 'eating now'. This form is for verbs that show a quick change. Like 'open' or 'close'. It shows the new state after that change. It does not show an action that is still going on.
Track your mastery
Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.