What does it mean word for word?
テレビを is the word for TV followed by the particle を (o), which marks TV as the direct object. 見ています means am watching. It combines the verb miru, to see or watch, with the helper verb iru, to be, which shows an ongoing action.
Which one should you use?
テレビを見ています is the polite version for most situations. テレビを見ている says the same thing in plain, informal speech. テレビを見てる is the shortened casual form you will hear among friends. Terebi miteru yo. adds a friendly tone, a bit like saying I am watching TV, you know.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
テレビを見ています is polite. Watashi wa terebi mi teru. is a casual and straightforward way to say it. Terebi miteru yo. is colloquial and used among close friends or family members.
How does it change in a sentence?
The sentence uses the continuous form to show an action in progress right now. To make it informal, replace the polite ending of 見ています with the plain form, giving テレビを見ている.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced terebi o miteimasu. The particle written を is said like the English letter o.
What mistakes should you avoid?
In casual speech the i sound in mite iru is often dropped, giving テレビを見てる. This is normal among friends, but in polite situations keep the full テレビを見ています.
Did you know?
- The polite ending います ('imasu') specifically indicates that the subject is a living being, as inanimate objects cannot 'be' in this continuous state.
- The verb 見る ('miru') is used not just for 'watching' a screen, but also for 'looking' at a photo or 'seeing' a doctor.
- In natural conversation, Japanese speakers often omit the particle を entirely, saying テレビ見てる ('terebi miteru') instead of テレビを見ている.
Examples in context
- 今、テレビを見ています。ima, terebi o mite imasu.I am watching TV now.
- 一人でテレビを見ています。hitori de terebi o mite imasu.I am watching TV alone.
Example conversation
Youta and Misaki are talking on the phone.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、今何してるの？Youta-kun, ima nani shiteru no?Youta, what are you doing now?
- 陽太 Yotaリビングでテレビを見ています。Ribingu de terebi o mite imasu.I am watching TV in the living room.
- 美咲 Misaki何か面白い番組をやってるの？Nanika omoshiroi bangumi o yatteru no?Is there an interesting program on?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、とても面白いですよ。Hai, totemo omoshiroi desu yo.Yes, it's very interesting.
