東京にいます
tōkyō ni imasu
To say "I am in Tokyo" in Japanese, you use 東京にいます (tōkyō ni imasu).
This phrase is used to state that you are currently located in the city of Tokyo. It is specifically used for the location of people or animals. You cannot use this phrase to say that an inanimate object, such as a book, is in Tokyo.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 東京 (Tokyo), に (the location particle) and います (the polite verb for the existence of living things). Literally, it translates to "Tokyo in am".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the negative "I am not in Tokyo", you change the polite verb います to its negative form いません, resulting in 東京にいません. In informal speech, replacing the polite います with the dictionary form いる makes the statement suitable for friends or family.
How do you pronounce it?
tōkyō ni imasu
Did you know?
- The verb います is used for humans and animals, but for plants, you must use あります, even though plants are living organisms.
- While 東京 is the name of the city, it literally means 'Eastern Capital'. The city of Kyoto was historically the 'Capital', and Tokyo was established as the new capital to the east.
- In professional or humble contexts, the verb います is replaced by おります to lower the speaker's status relative to the listener.
Examples in context
- 今、東京にいます。Ima, Tōkyō ni imasu.I am in Tokyo now.
- 出張で東京にいます。Shutchō de Tōkyō ni imasu.I am in Tokyo for a business trip.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking on the phone.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは今どこにいますか？Ren-san wa ima doko ni imasu ka?Ren, where are you now?
- 蓮 Ren今は東京にいます。Ima wa Tōkyō ni imasu.I am in Tokyo now.
- 結衣 Yuiそうなんですね！Sō nan desu ne!I see!
- 蓮 Renはい、明日帰ります。Hai, ashita kaerimasu.Yes, I will return tomorrow.
