How to Say ‘Am doing (polite)’ in Japanese
しています
しています
💬 Usage Tip: [べんきょうしています] = “I’m studying.” Natural for ongoing learning (language, university, certifications).
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, adults often study after work (資格 exams, languages), so this phrase comes up a lot.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
しし
[shi]
do (as part of しています)
し is from する. With べんきょう, it becomes べんきょうしています (I’m studying).
にほんごをべんきょうしています。
I’m studying Japanese.
てて
[te]
and/then (te-form connector)
て forms している, describing an ongoing action.
いまべんきょうしていていそがしいです。
I’m busy because I’m studying now.
いい
[i]
to be (as part of ている)
い is from いる; indicates ongoing study/work when used as ている.
よるにべんきょうしていることがおおいです。
I often study at night.
ますます
[masu]
polite ending (masu)
ます makes it polite. しています is a standard polite form for “am doing.”
まいばんべんきょうしています。
I study every night.
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