見ている
mite iru
The English word "watching" is translated into Japanese as 見ている (mite iru).
見ている is used to describe the act of looking at someone or something for a period of time.
Which one should you use?
In casual spoken Japanese, the i in the continuous form 見ている is frequently dropped, resulting in the more informal 見てる.
How do you pronounce it?
mite iru
Did you know?
- When talking about 'watching' a person's child or belongings, Japanese often uses the word 見る to mean 'taking care of' or 'babysitting'.
- While 見ている describes watching a show, if you are watching someone with suspicion, you would likely use 睨んでいる (nirande iru), which implies a glare.
- The continuous form 'watching' uses the auxiliary verb いる (iru), which literally means 'to exist' or 'to be' in a location.
Examples in context
- 何を見ているんですか。What are you watching?This sentence is useful for asking what someone is watching using the form 見ている.Tatoeba #187574 by bunbuku, translation #1841548 by CK
- テレビを見ている所だ。I'm watching TV.This sentence is useful for stating that one is watching TV using the form 見ている.Tatoeba #201959 by bunbuku, translation #2036345 by Dejo
- 彼は今テレビを見ている。He is watching TV now.This sentence is useful for stating that he is watching TV now using the form 見ている.Tatoeba #107196 by bunbuku, translation #296490 by CK
- 彼女は山の景色を眺めている。She is admiring the mountain view.
- 映画を見るのが好き。I like watching movies.
- 彼らはテレビを見ている。They are watching TV.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are in the living room.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、何を見ているの？Yōta-kun, nani o mite iru no?Yota, what are you watching?
- 陽太 Yota面白い動画を見ているよ。Omoshiroi dōga o mite iru yo.I'm watching a funny video.
- 美咲 Misaki私も一緒に見てもいい？Watashi mo issho ni mite mo ii?Can I watch it with you?
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。おいで。Ii yo. Oide.Sure. Come here.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
