JLPT N5 Vocabulary – The difference between “行っています” and “来ています”
Table of Contents
1. The difference between “行っています” and “来ています”
2. “行く” and “来る“
3. “日本に行っています”？”日本に来ています”？
4. Two Key Points
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments
Q: Which is correct: “今、私は日本に行っています” or “今、私は日本に来ています”?
A: If the speaker is already in Japan, “今、私は日本に来ています” is the natural expression. Let’s take a closer look.
“行く” and “来る“ (JLPT N5)
First, let’s confirm the difference in meaning between “行く” and “来る.”
[Meaning]
“行く”: Indicates that the speaker (or the main person in the situation) moves away from their current location.
“来る”: Indicates that the person or object in focus moves toward the speaker’s location.
In Japanese, “行く／来る” is not determined by physical direction as in English or Chinese, but by the speaker’s position. “行く” describes movement away from where the speaker is, while “来る” describes movement toward the speaker.
[Examples]
わたしは東京に行きます。
I go to Tokyo.
⇒ This describes movement away from the speaker toward Tokyo.
友達がうちに来ます。
My friend comes to my house.
⇒ This describes the friend moving toward the speaker’s home.
母は妹とスーパーに行きました。
My mother went to the supermarket with my younger sister.
クラスメイトが教室に来てから、一緒に勉強を始めました。
After a classmate came to the classroom, we started studying together.
For more details, read the article below:
JLPT N5 Vocabulary
The Usage of “行く” and “来る”
“日本に行っています”？”日本に来ています”？
Now, let’s compare “今、私は日本に行っています” and “今、私は日本に来ています” by organizing the key points.
[Key Points]
• The subject is “I” (the speaker).
• 行く = movement away from the speaker’s current location.
• 来る = movement toward the speaker.
Based on this framework, the meanings split as follows:
● 日本に行っています
⇒ Indicates “on the way to Japan,” implying the speaker has not yet arrived.
● 日本に来ています
⇒ Indicates “I have arrived in Japan and am there now,” expressing the state of being at the location after arrival.
Two Key Points
[Movement Verb + ている]
Many learners think “〜ている” always expresses a progressive action, so “日本に来ている” may feel strange at first.
However, when “〜ている” is used with movement verbs such as 行く／来る／帰る, it has a special meaning:
it expresses the resulting state after the movement has been completed, meaning someone has already arrived and is now at that place.
[Key Point]
Movement verb + ている ＝ not a progressive action, but the state after arrival
[Examples]
わたしは今、留学でカナダに来ています。
I am now in Canada to study abroad.
⇒ I have already arrived in Canada and am staying there.
ゆみさんならトイレに行っていますよ。
Yumi is in the restroom.
⇒ She has already moved there and is there now.
For more details, read the article below:
JLPT N4 Grammar
Uses of “〜ている”
Beyond the Present Progressive Tense
[When the subject changes, the verb also changes]
The choice between 行く and 来る depends on who the subject is. Even with the same destination (for example, “Japan”), the verb changes depending on whether the subject is the speaker or a third person.
[Examples]
① わたしは今、日本に来ています。
I am now in Japan.
⇒ The speaker (“I”) has already arrived in Japan.
② 太郎さんは今、日本に行っています。
Taro is now going to Japan.
⇒ Taro is on his way to Japan.
Even when the destination is the same (“Japan”), the verb changes depending on who the subject is — a very important point.
Summary
- Japanese “行く／来る” is based on the speaker’s position.
- “行っています” expresses that someone is in the middle of moving.
- “来ています” expresses that someone has arrived and is now at that place.
- “Moving verb + ている” does not show a progressive action but the resulting state after movement.
- When the subject changes, the verb choice also changes.
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