aku vs aite

Hi. Can someone help me to understand the difference between the plain form of aku あく　vs aite あいて ? Is aite considered the ing form of aku? Ie to open vs opening? 

Thank you!

こんにちは (Konnichiwa) Heru-,

Thanks for your question!

開く (Aku) means “to open” and is in the plain form.

開いて (Aite) means “open” and is the 〜て (~te) form of 開く (aku) “to open.”

The 〜て (~te) form can be used in a variety of ways. Most often, it's used to connect verbs where it means “and." For example: 

ドアが勝手に開いてびっくりしました。

Doa ga katte ni aite bikkuri shimashita.

The door opened all by itself and (I) was surprised. 

When the 〜て (~te) form is used with the verb いる (iru) “to be / to exist"; however, we get the continous form 〜ている (~te iru), which creates the equivalent of an “-ing” verb in English. For example:

ドアが開いています。

Doa ga aite imasu.

The door is open. 

Literally, the above example means “Door opening.” So, when followed by the verb いる (iru), 開いて (aite) means “opening."

You can read more about the 〜て (~te) form in this lesson: https://rocket-web-git-feat-playit-video-librosmedia.vercel.app/members/products/5/lesson/5138

And more about the present continous form in this lesson: https://rocket-web-git-feat-playit-video-librosmedia.vercel.app/members/products/5/lesson/5148

I hoped this helped! 

勉強を頑張ってください！ (Benkyō o ganbatte kudasai!)

This helped!

ありがとう！