To be at home

[crownedjitter]

Yesterday I was trying to figure out how to say "I am at home", as in I am currently at home right now.

My dictionary says you can use かえっている to say this, though I thought this would mean "I am currently returning home". Why not 家にいますor something like that?

Can anyone clarify what would be the best way to say this?

Thanks!

Jason

[Javizy]

In beginner lesson 42 the second one is used.

夏子：今どこにいますか。
カゼ：今、家にいます。

To say 'I'm home' as in 'I just got back', you say - 只今かえりました. This is usually shortened to just 只今which you're probably familiar with, but I think this is where the connection with かえっている is.

[Bueller_007]

帰っている is not a normal て-いる form. It's the same category as 行っている and 来ている.

行っている = has gone to ~~~~ (and is still there).
来ている = has come to ~~~~ (and is still here).
帰っている = has returned (and is now home).

You don't use 帰っている to say "I'm at home" unless you have arrived home from somewhere.

[Javizy]

Ah yes, progressives often represent a state rather than a continuing action. That still catches me out