日: 2026年4月14日

Japanese Learning: Expression for What is Your Occupation using “[ V-te ] iru”.

The major four functions of “[V-te] iru” are as shown below;

– Action ongoing

– Repetitive action

– Lasting action

– Sustained result of an action

We have already learned “Action ongoing” and “Lasting action”. Today’s expression is a kind of mix of these four.

– Watashi wa Shiyakusho de Hataraite imasu. (I work in the city-hall.)

– Watashi wa Daigaku de Nihongo o Oshiete imasu. (I teach Japanese in a University.)

These “[V-te] iru”(s) are basically “Lasting action”. However, these actions are repeated periodically, for example, everyday as an occupation. And it’s not an action right now, but it is also an action ongoing currently from long term perspective. Therefore, today’s expression is, rather than to be classified in one of the four functions, but better to be simply put “expression for what you are doing as occupation”.

Practice and remember the following conversation;

A : Satou-san wa Don’na Shigoto o Shite Imasuka. (Sato-san, what do you do?)

B : Watashi wa Kojou de Sagyouin o Shite imasu. (I am a worker in a factory.)

This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section 15 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”