Actions and Thinking: ている / てみる

Learn how to express ongoing actions, trying things, and thoughts.

Key Expressions

Hiragana	Romaji	English	Type
[verb て] + いる	te iru	currently doing	expression
[noun] + を かんがえる	wo kangaeru	think about (something)	expression
[sentence] + と おもう	to omou	think that	expression
[verb て] + みる	te miru	try doing	expression
[verb て] + みよう	te miyou	let's try doing	expression

Continuous Action: ている

[verb て form] + いる

Meaning: "Currently doing something" or "in the state of..."

Examples

• たべる → たべている - Currently eating
  • tabeteiru
• よむ → よんでいる - Currently reading
  • yondeiru
• はしる → はしっている - Currently running
  • hashitteiru

In Sentences

• いま テレビ を みている - I'm watching TV now.
  • ima terebi wo miteiru
• ともだち が きている - My friend is here/has come.
  • tomodachi ga kiteiru
• まいにち べんきょうしている - I study every day.
  • mainichi benkyoushiteiru

Thinking

Think About: を かんがえる

... + を かんがえる

Meaning: "Think about something" (as an object)

Examples

• みらい を かんがえる - Think about the future
  • mirai wo kangaeru
• もんだい を かんがえる - Think about the problem
  • mondai wo kangaeru

Think That: と おもう

... + と おもう

Meaning: "Think that..." (express an opinion)

Examples

• いい と おもう - I think it's good
  • ii to omou
• むずかしい と おもう - I think it's difficult
  • muzukashii to omou
• あした あめ が ふる と おもう - I think it will rain tomorrow
  • ashita ame ga furu to omou

Trying: てみる

Try Doing: て form + みる

[verb て form] + みる

Meaning: "Try doing something" (attempt or test)

Examples

• たべる → たべてみる - Try eating
  • tabetemiru
• きく → きいてみる - Try asking/listening
  • kiitemiru
• する → してみる - Try doing
  • shitemiru

In Sentences

• この りょうり を たべてみて - Try eating this dish.
  • kono ryouri wo tabetemite
• にほんご を はなしてみます - I'll try speaking Japanese.
  • nihongo wo hanashitemimasu

Let's Try: て form + みよう

[verb て form] + みよう

Meaning: "Let's try doing something"

Examples

• たべる → たべてみよう - Let's try eating
  • tabetemiyou
• いく → いってみよう - Let's try going
  • ittemiyou
• する → してみよう - Let's try doing
  • shitemiyou

In Sentences

• この ゲーム を してみよう - Let's try playing this game.
  • kono geemu wo shitemiyou
• あたらしい レストラン に いってみよう - Let's try going to the new restaurant.
  • atarashii resutoran ni ittemiyou