How to Say ‘Is waiting’ in Japanese
待っているんです
matsu te iru n desu
[maht teh ee-roo n dess]
💬 Usage Tip: [〜んです] often adds an explanatory feel: not just "is waiting," but "the thing is, they're waiting." It's very common when giving a reason, like [急いでいるんです] = "I'm in a hurry."
Phrase Breakdown
待っ
matsu
[maht]
wait
From 待つ, meaning to wait.
家族が待っています。
My family is waiting.
て
te
[teh]
te-form
Connects the verb to the continuing state expression.
待っているんですと説明しました。
I explained, “They are waiting.”
いる
iru
[ee-roo]
to be doing
Shows an ongoing action or state.
外で待っている人がいます。
There is someone waiting outside.
ん
n
[n]
explanatory nominalizer
Part of んです, adding explanation or emphasis.
急いでいるんですと伝えると自然です。
Saying “I am in a hurry” with n desu sounds natural.
です
desu
[dess]
is; explanatory ending
In んです, it gives a polite explanatory tone.
待っているんですは理由をやわらかく伝えます。
Matte irun desu gently conveys a reason.
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