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How to Say ‘An ox is pulling it.’ in Japanese

牛が引いていますよ。

ushi ga hii te i masu yo

[OO-shee ga HEE-ee teh ee mahs yo]

💬 Usage Tip: ています on an action means it's happening right now: 引いています "is pulling". The same ending appears in 乗っている "is riding".

Phrase Breakdown

牛が

ushi ga

the cow (subject)

牛 (ushi) means 'cow'. The particle が (ga) marks it as the subject. Say it smoothly as 'u-shi-ga', with a light, almost whispered 'u'.

Example

牛が草を食べています。

The cow is eating grass.

Words in this phrase

牛

ushi

[OO-shee]

cow; ox

Cattle; here the ox that pulls the carriage.

Example

牛が草を食べています。

The cow is eating grass.

が

[ga]

subject marker

A particle marking the subject of the sentence.

Example

興味がある分野を教えてください。

Please tell me the field you are interested in.

引いていますよ。

hii te i masu yo

is pulling (you know)

引いています (hiite imasu) is the ongoing form of 引く (hiku, 'to pull'). Hold the long 'ii' in 'hiite' slightly. The final よ (yo) adds emphasis, like telling someone something they may not know.

Example

子どもが車を引いていますよ。

The child is pulling a cart, you know.

Words in this phrase

引い

hii

[HEE-ee]

pull (te-form stem)

Form of 引く 'to pull; to draw' before て.

Example

ドアを引いてください。

Please pull the door.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

い

[ee]

be; ongoing state part

Part of the continuous form that shows an action is currently happening.

Example

今も条件を比べている最中です。

I am still in the middle of comparing conditions.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認します。

I will confirm the reservation.

よ

[yo]

you know

Particle used for emphasis or to assert information.

Example

わかるよね。

You know, right?

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