彼氏がいます
kareshi ga imasu
The Japanese phrase for "I have a boyfriend" is 彼氏がいます (kareshi ga imasu).
This phrase is used to inform someone that the speaker is in a romantic relationship with a man. It is commonly used as a polite way to decline unwanted romantic advances or to clarify one's relationship status.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 彼氏 (kareshi) literally means "male partner" or "boyfriend". The particle が (ga) acts as a subject marker, identifying the boyfriend as the subject that exists in the speaker's life. The verb います (imasu) means "exists" or "have" when referring to living beings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
彼氏がいます is the polite version of the phrase. For friends or peers, you may use the informal version 彼氏がいる.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, the verb います is used instead of the verb for inanimate objects because a boyfriend is a living being.
How do you pronounce it?
kareshi ga imasu
Did you know?
- In Japanese media, the term 彼氏 (kareshi) is often used in 'boyfriend mode' (kareshi-kou) to describe a specific style of photography or acting designed to make the viewer feel they are on a date.
- In Japan, the phrase 彼氏がいます can be used as a 'social shield' to decline an invitation without explicitly saying 'no', allowing both parties to save face.
- If a speaker wants to be ambiguous about whether the relationship is official, they might use いい人がいます (ii hito ga imasu), which literally means 'there is a good person'.
Examples in context
- 実は、彼氏がいます。Jitsu wa, kareshi ga imasu.Actually, I have a boyfriend.
- いえ、彼氏がいますので。Ie, kareshi ga imasu node.No, because I have a boyfriend.
- もう彼氏がいます。Mou kareshi ga imasu.I already have a boyfriend.
Example conversation
A man asks a woman out for coffee at a cafe.
- 陽太 Yotaコーヒーでもいかがですか？Koohii demo ikaga desu ka?Would you like to grab a coffee or something?
- 陽葵 Himariすみません、彼氏がいます。Sumimasen, kareshi ga imasu.I'm sorry, I have a boyfriend.
- 陽太 Yotaあ、そうなんですね。失礼しました。A, sou nan desu ne. Shitsurei shimashita.Oh, I see. My apologies.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫ですよ。Daijoubu desu yo.It's okay.
