is doing (progressive); resulting or habitual state

The te form plus imasu describes an action in progress, like English is doing. It also expresses ongoing states and habits, such as living somewhere, being married, or working at a company. Context tells you which reading is meant.

Examples

• 今いま、雨あめが降ふっています。

  Ima, ame ga futte imasu.

  It is raining now.

• 兄あには銀行ぎんこうで働はたらいています。

  Ani wa ginkou de hataraite imasu.

  My older brother works at a bank.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 今 now
• 雨 rain
• 降る to fall (rain, snow)
• いる to exist (animate); to be
• 兄 older brother (one's own)
• 銀行 bank

Related patterns · Te-form

• 〜て、〜 and (linking actions in sequence)
• 〜てください please do (polite request)
• 〜てから after doing ..., and then