ありますか
arimasu ka
The Japanese phrase for "is there" is ありますか (arimasu ka).
ありますか is a question used to ask if an inanimate object exists or is available, such as asking if a shop or person has something in stock. It can be translated as both "is there" and "do you have".
Which one should you use?
While ありますか is used for inanimate objects, you should use いますか instead when asking if a person or animal is there.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ありますか is a formal way to express "is there". In informal situations, you can use the dictionary form followed by a rising intonation: ある？
How does it change in a sentence?
ありますか is the question form of the polite verb あります, which means "there is" or "to exist". When asking "Is there [subject]?", the subject is often marked with the particle は to indicate it is the topic of the question. Use か at the end of sentences to turn them into questions.
How do you pronounce it?
arimasu ka
Did you know?
- The distinction between ありますか and いますか is so strict that a dead fish is treated with ありますか, but a live one requires いますか.
- If you are looking for a lost object, you might use ありました！ to exclaim 'I found it!', even though it translates literally as 'it existed'.
- In a retail setting, a clerk might respond to ありますか with ございません, which is an ultra-polite version of 'there is not'.
Examples in context
- 門限がありますか。Is there a curfew?This sentence is useful for asking about a curfew.Tatoeba #79778 by bunbuku, translation #323939 by CK
- もっとありますか？Is there more?This sentence is useful for asking if there is more of something.Tatoeba #3496706 by arnab, translation #2248502 by CK
- 駐車場はありますか。Is there a parking lot?This sentence is useful for asking if a parking lot is available.Tatoeba #126297 by bunbuku, translation #277695 by CK
- 201 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himi and Kenta are at a convenience store.
- 陽葵 Himariすみません、傘はありますか。Sumimasen, kasa wa arimasu ka.Excuse me, are there any umbrellas?
- 健太 Kentaはい、あちらにありますよ。Hai, achira ni arimasu yo.Yes, they are over there.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。安いのはありますか。Arigatou gozaimasu. Yasui no wa arimasu ka.Thank you. Is there a cheap one?
- 健太 Kentaはい、こちらが一番安いです。Hai, kochira ga ichiban yasui desu.Yes, this one is the cheapest.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
