存在
sonzai[sõ̞nd͡za̠i]
The English phrase 'existence' translates to Japanese as 存在 (sonzai). If unsure, use 存在. Wiktionary also lists 実存 (jitsuzon) and 実在 (jitsuzai).
Meaning: state of being, existing, or occurring (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 存在 | sonzai | [sõ̞nd͡za̠i] (narrow) |
| 実存 | jitsuzon | [d͡ʑit͡sɨzõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 実在 | jitsuzai | [d͡ʑit͡sɨza̠i] (narrow) |
存在 refers to the general state of being, existing or occurring. When you want to express the presence or existence of animate beings like people, animals or ghosts, you can use the verb いる in informal settings or the polite form います. For more formal discussions involving abstract or philosophical ideas, the expression 存在しています is used to emphasize the concept of existence.
Which one should you use?
存在 refers to the general state of being or existence. In contrast, 実在 specifically emphasizes that something exists in reality or is physically present. If you are discussing philosophy, specifically human existence or 'existentialism', the technical term 実存 is used.
How do you pronounce it?
sonzai
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 存在 can be used as an adjective to describe someone with a 'strong presence' or a commanding aura, which goes beyond the mere fact of their physical existence.
- Using the phrase 存在を消す literally means 'to erase one's existence', but it is a common trope in Japanese media to describe someone becoming stealthy or invisible.
- The kanji 存 in 存在 can also be found in the word 保存 meaning 'save' or 'preserve', linking the idea of existence to the act of keeping something from disappearing.
Examples in context
- 神の存在を信じますか。Do you believe in the existence of God?This sentence is useful for asking about a belief in the existence of God using 存在.Tatoeba #144923 by small_snow, translation #269640 by Swift
- 幽霊の存在を信じますか。Do you believe in the existence of ghosts?This sentence is useful for asking about a belief in the existence of ghosts using 存在.Tatoeba #79275 by bunbuku, translation #607741 by Samer
- 私は神の存在を信じない。I do not believe in the existence of God.This sentence is useful for stating a lack of belief in the existence of God using 存在.Tatoeba #155690 by Sim5634, translation #258847 by CC
- 猫がいます。There is a cat.
- 彼の才能は確かに存在しています。His talent definitely exists.
- 友達がいるよ。I have (lit. There is) a friend.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mysterious animal in the forest.
- 大翔 Hirotoあの動物の存在は本当かな？Ano dōbutsu no sonzai wa hontō kana?I wonder if that animal's existence is real?
- 美咲 Misaki写真があるから、存在していると思うよ。Shashin ga aru kara, sonzai shite iru to omou yo.There are photos, so I think it exists.
- 大翔 Hirotoでも、誰も見たことがないよね。Demo, dare mo mita koto ga nai yo ne.But nobody has ever seen it, right?
- 美咲 Misaki不思議な存在だよね。Fushigi na sonzai da yo ne.It is a mysterious existence, isn't it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “existence” translations and entries 存在, 実存, 実在, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
