〜います

Meaning

The pattern verb (te-form) + います expresses either an action currently in progress or a state that results from a completed action. The polite form ています becomes ていません in the negative. This is one of the most fundamental patterns in Japanese, with two main uses: showing present continuous actions and indicating states including habitual actions, changed conditions, and current situations.

Formation

Examples

1. 山田さんは けっこんしています。
   Yamada is married. (state resulting from an action)

2. わたしは 外で 待っています。
   I am waiting outside. (action in progress)

3. 来週の 日曜日は、空いています。
   I am free next Sunday. (current state/availability)

4. ワンさんは 大学で 日本語を 勉強しています。
   Wang is studying Japanese at university. (action in progress)

5. わたしは 毎日 コーヒーを 飲んでいます。
   I drink coffee every day. (habitual action/repeated state)

Summary

• Use verb te-form + います for ongoing actions or resulting states
• Negative form is ていません; polite form emphasizes courtesy
• Expresses both present progressive actions and current conditions including habits