ボス は いま、かね を かぞえ ている。
bosu wa ima, kane o kazoe teiru.
The boss is counting the money right now.
This grammar point is straight-up about what’s going on right now or a state that’s still poppin’ off. It’s like when you see your boy on the corner and he’s just there. He ain’t movin’, he ain’t leavin’, he’s just chillin’. Or when you bust into the trap house and you see the crew cookin’ up that good stuff. They ain’t cookin’ for a second and then stoppin’; they are in the middle of cookin’. That’s what ている is all about. It’s the “be + -ing” of the Japanese streets. It’s about a continuous action or a state of being that’s still holding it down. It ain’t a habit, nah. It’s what’s happening in the moment, for real.
Here’s the rundown on how to get your verbs ready for this grammar pattern. Check the table, get your mind right, and put in work.
| Verb Type | Hiragana | English |
| Group 1 Verbs | かう = かっている | (is/are) buying |
| Group 2 Verbs | たべる = たべている | (is/are) eating |
| Irregular Verbs | する = している | (is/are) doing |
| くる = きている | (is/are) coming |
To put it in plain English, you gotta take the te-form of a verb and slap on iru. If you can’t get the te-form down, you ain’t ready for this. Learn that first, then come back. It’s simple, though. Group 2 verbs are easy—just add te. Group 1 verbs are where you gotta be smart. You gotta change the end sound of the verb before you add te. It’s all about knowin’ the rules of the streets, feel me?
Picture this: You’re in the hood, and you see your rival crew. One dude is runnin’ from the Five-O. Another cat is lookin’ all shady. That’s the real deal right there. The action is happening, it’s continuous. It’s like you’re a snitch tellin’ the cops what’s goin’ on at that very moment. “He’s sittin’ in the car, he’s holdin’ the bag, he’s talkin’ on the phone.” It’s that real-time report, feel me? It’s not about what they usually do, nah. It’s about what they are doing right this second. It’s the live-action play-by-play.
Alright, pay attention to these words. They gon’ make your vocab game strong.
はまき (Hamaki)
English: Cigar.
A cigar ain’t just some cigarette. This right here is a boss man’s smoke. You see a dude rockin’ a nice suit, leanin’ back in a plush chair, and he’s got one of these bad boys lit up. It’s a statement. It says, “I’m the one in charge.” Think about all them gangster flicks, man. The big homie always got a hamaki in his hand, puffin’ on that thing while he’s makin’ the rules. It’s a symbol of power, you feel me?
まやく (Mayaku)
English: Drugs; narcotics.
This word means the hard stuff, the illegal goods. We talkin’ ’bout anything from the powder to the pills. The streets are full of this stuff, man. It’s the currency of the underworld. You got your dealers, your pushers, your cartels—they all messin’ with mayaku. It’s the high-risk, high-reward game that makes the whole block crazy. It’s the kind of business that keeps the cops on your tail and the streets on edge.
うらろじ (Ura roji)
English: Back alley; backstreet.
You got the main street, where everyone’s playin’ nice and lookin’ all official. But the real moves, the shady business, that’s all goin’ down in the ura roji. It’s where you meet your connect, stash your goods, and handle beef away from prying eyes. Think about it like where you get the exclusive drop, the off-the-books hookup. It’s the wild west, know what I’m sayin’?
ぎんこうごうとう (Ginkou goutou)
English: Bank robbery.
This is the big score, man. When you’re tired of small change and you wanna hit the jackpot, you go for a ginkou goutou. It’s the ultimate heist. You gotta have a crew, a plan, and the nerves to pull it off. This is the kinda action you see in the movies like Heat or The Town. It ain’t for the weak. You bust in, grab the stacks, and get out before the fuzz gets there. It’s the thrill of a lifetime, for real.
うたたね をする (Utatane o suru)
English: To take a nap.
This ain’t the kinda word you hear in the hood too much, but it’s important. It’s when you catch a quick nap, not a full sleep, you know? Like, you’re sittin’ in your ride, you been up all night, and you just close your eyes for a minute. Or maybe you’re kickin’ back on the couch and you doze off while the TV’s on. It’s a quick power-down, a little rest for the hustle.
Here are some phrases and sentences you might hear from my crew. Pay attention, these ain’t for playin’ games.
ボス はまき を すって いる。
bosu hamaki o sutte iru.
The boss is smoking a cigar.
あいつら は まやく を うって いる。
aitsura wa mayaku o utte iru.
They are selling drugs.
やくざ の おんな は くるま を まって いる。
yakuza no onna wa kuruma o matte iru.
The gangster’s lady is waiting for the car.
けいさつ が うらろじ を みて います。
keisatsu ga uraroji o mite imasu.
The police are watching the back alley.
おれ の なかま は きんこ を あけて いる。
ore no nakama wa kinko o akete iru.
My homie is opening the safe.
ぎんこうごうとう は じゅう を かまえて いる。
ginkou goutou wa juu o kamaete iru.
The bank robber is holding up a gun.
ボディーガード は ドア の まえ に たって いる。
bodigaado wa doa no mae ni tatte iru.
The bodyguard is standing in front of the door.
けいびいん は うたたね を して いる。
keibiin wa utatane o shite iru.
The security guard is dozing off.
なかま は かんしカメラ を こわして いる。
nakama wa kanshi kamera o kowashite iru.
The crew is breaking the surveillance camera.
ボス は おれたち の しっぱい に おこって いる。
bosu wa oretachi no shippai ni okotte iru.
The boss is angry about our failure.
Aight, that’s it for today, my G’s. Stay safe on these streets and keep your ears open. Peace out.
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