How to Say ‘Live / am living’ in Japanese
すんでいます
su n de i masu
[soo n deh ee mah-soo]
💬 Usage Tip: [すんでいます] describes a continuing state, so it means "live" or "am living." It comes from the verb [すむ].
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a very practical phrase in everyday Japan, since people often ask where you live when getting to know you.
Phrase Breakdown
す
su
[soo]
live (stem part)
This comes from すむ, to live or reside. It is the start of すんでいます, am living/live.
すはすむのはじめです。
す is the beginning of すむ.
ん
n
[n]
n sound
This is part of the verb form すんでいます. It helps connect the sound and grammar of the word.
んはすんでいますのいちぶです。
ん is one part of すんでいます.
で
de
[deh]
te-form part
This is part of the connecting form used before います.
ではことばをつなげます。
で connects parts of the word.
い
i
[ee]
to be; ongoing part
This is part of います, which shows an ongoing state. Together, すんでいます means live/am living.
いはいますのいちぶです。
い is part of います.
ます
masu
[mah-soo]
polite ending
The polite ending of います, making the sentence sound polite.
ますがあるとていねいです。
When ます is present, it is polite.
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