ている、ていく、てくる、ては、ても
ている (te-iru)
iru = existing
Use ている
- Progressive tense – currently doing
- Continuous – have been doing
- Present situation – what do you do now?
- Habitual actions – frequently happens
- The current state / State / condition / appearance of subject
Examples for ている
見る (miru) to look; to watch
見ている (mite iru) looking; watching; seeing
読む (yomu) to read
読んでいる (yonde iru) reading
ていく(te-iku)
iku = go, start
(alternatively ゆく, it's less conversational)
Use ていく
to start; to continue; to go on
Examples for ていく
歩いていく (aruite iku) to walk / to go by walking / to start walking
てくる (te-kuru)
kuru = come
Use てくる
to do… and come back; to become; to continue; to start
Examples for てくる
見えてくる (miete kuru) to come into view (to continue coming into view)
私は彼を連れてくる。(watashi wa kare o tsurete kuru.) I will bring him / pick him up.
ては / では (te-wa / de-wa)
Use ては / では
- if; because + bad result
- whenever [A] happens, [B]..
- multiple repetitive actions
Examples for ては / では
こんなに雨が降っては、買い物ができないな。(konna ni ame ga futte wa, kaimono ga dekinai na.) I can't go shopping if it keeps raining like this.
彼が相手では勝てるわけがない。(kare ga aite de wa kateru wake ga nai.) If he is my opponent, there is no way I can win.
ても (te-mo)
Use ても
even; even if; even though
Examples for ても
たくさん食べても、お腹が空きます。(takusan tabetemo, onaka ga sukimasu.) Even if I eat a lot, I still feel hungry.
日曜日でも、働きます。(nichiyoubi demo, hatarakimasu.) I work even on Sundays.