ある / いる (Existence)
Say "there is" for things and living beings.
Where is it?
Imagine you are in a Japanese classroom or a shop. You are looking for your pen, or perhaps you want to know if a friend is in the room. In Japanese, you cannot simply say "is" for everything. You must choose the correct verb based on whether the object is alive or inanimate.
すみません、ぺんがありますか？
すみません、ペンがありますか？
Excuse me, is there a pen?
はい、あそこにあります。
はい、あそこにあります。
Yes, it is over there.
The Grammar of Existence
To express existence, we use the pattern: [Location] に [Subject] が [Verb].
Tip
Seeing it in action
Here are common ways to use these verbs.
机の上に本があります。
There is a book on the desk.
教室に先生がいます。
There is a teacher in the classroom.
公園に猫がいます。
There is a cat in the park.
あそこに車【が】あります。
Hint: Subject marker
There is a car over there.
Nuance and Usage
These verbs are the foundation for describing scenes. Note that they are polite forms (masu-form).
ある vs いる
ある
Inanimate objects (non-living)
時計がある (There is a clock)
いる
Animate beings (living)
友達がいる (There is a friend)
Which verb should you use for a 'tree'?
- ✓ ある
- いる
Even though trees are living, they are stationary and do not move on their own, so we use ある.
Exceptions and Advanced Notes
Sometimes, the rules for 'living' vs 'non-living' can be tricky.
What about plants?
What about robots?
Lesson Summary
To state existence, use [Location] に [Subject] が [ある/いる]. Use ある for objects and plants, and いる for people and animals.