- Indicates a series of aspects, among which the most common is the continuous aspect, pointing actions happening at the moment of speaking
Ex:
しんぶん を よんでいます
Shinbun wo yondeimasu. I’m reading the newspaper.
かれは たべています
Kare wa tabete imasu. He’s eating.
まいにち だいがく へ いっています
Mainichi daigaku e itteimasu. I go to the university every day.
• The auxiliary たい / Tai is added to the verb and it indicates a strong desire; it can be used only in the first person singular
Ex:
ほん を よむ ほん が よみたい
I’m reading a book. I want to read a book.
みず を のむ みず が のみたい
Mizu wo nomu Mizu ga nomitai