食べています
tabete imasu
The English phrase "I am eating" is translated into Japanese as 食べています (tabete imasu).
The phrase is used to state that the speaker is currently in the process of eating food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the te-form of the verb taberu (to eat) and the auxiliary verb imasu (to be/exist), literally meaning "eating am".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
食べています is the polite form used in standard daily conversation. In contrast, 食べてる and 食べている are informal ways to say "I am eating".
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of 食べています is 食べている, which is used when speaking with friends or family.
How do you pronounce it?
tabete imasu
When do people say it?
It is customary to say itadakimasu, which translates to "I humbly receive", before starting a meal.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the act of eating is often expressed through different verbs depending on the status of the person, with meshiagaru used for someone of higher social rank.
- The verb taberu can also be used to describe 'consuming' things that are not food, such as when a tire 'eats' the road or a machine 'eats' a coin.
- To signal that you have finished eating, it is customary to say gochisousama deshita, which acknowledges the effort put into the meal.
Examples in context
- 梨を食べています。I am eating a pear.This sentence is useful for practicing with the form 食べています when mentioning a pear.Tatoeba #2354053 by wakatyann630, translation #2238989 by danepo
- りんごを食べています。I am eating an apple.This sentence is useful for practicing with the form 食べています when mentioning an apple.Tatoeba #192448 by bunbuku, translation #29612 by CK
- パンを食べています。I am eating bread.This sentence is useful for practicing with the form 食べています when mentioning bread.Tatoeba #4839619 by Adou_Fr, translation #4864604 by jarbv
- 私は食べています。I am eating.
- ラーメンを食べてるよ。I am eating ramen.
- ケーキを食べているんだ。I am eating cake.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki is on the phone with Ren while having lunch.
- 美咲 Misaki今、昼ごはんを食べています。Ima, hirugohan o tabete imasu.I am eating lunch right now.
- 蓮 Renあ、ごめん。あとで電話するね。A, gomen. Ato de denwa suru ne.Oh, sorry. I will call you later.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、大丈夫だよ。Un, daijobu dayo.Yeah, it's okay.
- 蓮 Renゆっくり食べてね。Yukkuri tabete ne.Enjoy your meal.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
