How to Say ‘Are you doing (it)?’ in Japanese
していますか
shi te i masu ka
[shee teh ee mahss kah]
💬 Usage Tip: [していますか] is the polite continuous form (doing / have been doing). It implies an ongoing habit or current effort.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Interviewers like hearing ongoing actions. Using [しています] can signal consistency rather than a one-time attempt.
Phrase Breakdown
して
shi te
doing (te-form of する)
Te-form used to make the progressive: ～しています = “am doing.”
何をしてるの？
What are you doing?
Words in this phrase
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem)
Part of the ている form (している) showing an ongoing action or habit.
毎日練習しているので自信がつきました。
Because I practice every day, I’ve gained confidence.
て
te
[teh]
(te-form connector)
Connects to いる to make the progressive/habitual form: している.
改善していくつもりです。
I plan to keep improving.
います
i masu
am/are (in the middle of doing)
In ～ています, いる shows an ongoing action/state in polite form.
今、勉強しています。
I’m studying now.
Words in this phrase
い
i
[ee]
to be (for ている)
With て-form indicates ongoing state/action (している = am doing / do regularly).
発表を練習しているところです。
I’m in the middle of practicing my presentation.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending (present)
Polite form used in interviews to speak respectfully: しています.
週に一度スピーチの練習をしています。
I practice speeches once a week.
か
ka
[kah]
(question particle)
Turns the polite statement into a question: していますか。
何か改善のためにしていますか。
Are you doing anything for improvement?
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