angela is correct. To add to the answer: "aruku" is in the present tense, but is also used for the future tense. - "will walk" "aruite" when used alone is a command. - "(I command you to) Walk." - Motto, hanashite yo! - "(I command you) Talk more! "aruite" when used with "iru"/"imasu (pol) is in the progressive tense - "I AM walking" (lit. I exist walking) meaning you are currently doing the action.

i think it goes like this : Aruku -- to walk ( present ) arukimasu -- to walk ( polite ) aruite -- walking ( continuous ) arukanai – not walking (negative ) aruita -- walked ( past ) i hope native speakers explain it to you better than me

angela and jephilologist are correct.^^ If I add just one thing, "aruite" is a from to connect verbs. aruku(verb:walk) + iru(verb:continue) --> arui + te + iru (walking) aruku(verb:walk) + kaeru(verb:go home) --> arui + te + kaeru (walk and go home) aruite(verb:walk) + sagasu(verb: seek) --> arui + te + sagasu(walk and seek) aruite can be used for a command. Actually, "kudasai"(subsidiary verb) is omitted after that.