ある
aru[a̠ɾɯ̟]
aru is the Japanese phrase for to exist or to have.
ある is used to indicate the existence of inanimate objects, such as plants, buildings or abstract concepts. When you want to describe the existence of living things, you should use the verb いる instead.
Which one should you use?
While ある is used for inanimate objects, いる is the correct verb to use for the existence of animate beings like humans or animals.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of ある is formed by replacing the final 'u' with 'a-ta' to create あった. The negative form of ある is irregular. Instead of following standard conjugation patterns, it becomes ない.
Did you know?
- Even though plants are living organisms, they are grammatically treated with aru rather than iru because they lack the capacity for voluntary movement.
- The phrase あった! (the past tense of ある) is used as an exclamation when you suddenly find something you lost, similar to saying 'Found it!' in English.
- The verb ある is the root for the common word ありえない, which means 'impossible' or 'unthinkable' literally meaning 'cannot exist'.
Examples in context
- 本があります。There is a book.
- お手洗いがございますか？Do you have a restroom?
- その店には本がない。There are no books in that store.
- 机の上に本がある。Tsukue no ue ni hon ga aru.There is a book on the desk.
- 近くにコンビニはある？Chikaku ni konbini wa aru?Is there a convenience store nearby?
- いいアイデアがあるよ。Ii aidea ga aru yo.I have a good idea.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking for a pen in the classroom.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、ペンある？Yōta, pen aru?Yota, do you have a pen?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、筆箱の中にあるよ。Un, fudubako no naka ni aru yo.Yeah, it's in the pencil case.
- 結衣 Yui貸してくれてありがとう。Kashite kurete arigatō.Thanks for lending it to me.
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ、気にしないで。Ii yo, ki ni shinaide.Sure, don't worry about it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ある, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
