What it means
ていた expresses an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past. It is formed by attaching いた to a verb’s て-form, and it is commonly translated as “was doing” or “were doing.” The polite counterpart is ていました. It can also describe a past state or a condition that had resulted from an earlier action, so the surrounding context determines the exact meaning.
Usage note
ていた does not always mean that an action was physically in progress; with some verbs, it describes a resulting state or a past habitual situation. Use the time or context to make the intended meaning clear.
How to use it
子供たちは公園で遊んでいました。
The children were playing in the park.
子供たちは公園で遊んでいた。
The children were playing in the park.
Example sentences
昨日の午後、図書館で試験の資料を読んでいた。
Yesterday afternoon, I was reading materials for the exam at the library.
母が帰ってきたとき、私は台所で夕食を作っていた。
When my mother came home, I was making dinner in the kitchen.
去年の夏、毎朝公園