勉強していました
benkyou shite imashita
In Japanese, "I have been studying" is expressed as 勉強していました (benkyou shite imashita).
This phrase describes an action that was ongoing in the past.
Which one should you use?
While 勉強していました (benkyou shite imashita) describes an action that was ongoing in the past, 勉強しています (benkyou shite imasu) describes an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present.
How do you pronounce it?
benkyou shite imashita
Did you know?
- In a shopping context, the word 勉強 (benkyou) can be used to ask for a discount. A shopkeeper might say they will 'do some study' on the price to lower it for the customer.
- The word 勉強 (benkyou) contains a kanji character meaning 'strong' and another meaning 'force'. This suggests that studying was historically viewed as a forceful or strenuous effort.
- If you are describing your studies as a habit rather than a specific ongoing action, you might use 勉強していました to mean 'I used to study' (regularly). The meaning can shift from 'ongoing action' to 'past habit' depending on the context.
Examples in context
- Daigaku de ni-nenkan benkyō shite imasu. (大学で2年間勉強しています。)I have been studying for two years at university.
- 昨日はずっと勉強していました。Kinou wa zutto benkyou shite imashita.I was studying all day yesterday.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto meet at a cafe.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さん、昨日はどこにいましたか？Misaki-san, kinō wa doko ni imashita ka?Misaki, where were you yesterday?
- 美咲 Misaki家で勉強していました。Ie de benkyō shite imashita.I was studying at home.
- 大翔 Hirotoすごいですね。大変でしたか？Sugoi desu ne. Taihen deshita ka?That's impressive. Was it hard?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、とても疲れました。Hai, totemo tsukaremashita.Yes, I got very tired.
