あります
arimasu
The English phrase 'there are' is expressed in Japanese as あります (arimasu).
あります is used to state that something exists or is located in a particular place. It is specifically used for inanimate objects, such as plants, buildings or ideas. Additionally, in many contexts, あります is used to express possession, meaning 'to have' or 'to hold' something.
Which one should you use?
While あります is used for inanimate objects, you must use います when saying 'there are' for animate beings, such as people or animals. In formal situations, います is used to express the existence of people or living beings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, people often use おる or おるか instead of いる.
How does it change in a sentence?
Its plain, non-polite dictionary form is ある. To express the past tense, 'there was' or 'there were', use the form ありました.
How do you pronounce it?
arimasu
Did you know?
- The distinction between あります and います is so strict that describing a pet with あります can sound as if you are referring to a stuffed toy or a corpse.
- The word ある is the root of the word ありえない, which means 'impossible' or 'unthinkable' by literally saying 'it cannot exist'.
- Even though plants are living things, they are treated as inanimate with あります because they lack the ability to move spontaneously from place to place.
Examples in context
- 全部で十あります。There are ten in total.This sentence shows how to use あります to state a total amount.Tatoeba #10979889 by small_snow, translation #12599216 by urro
- 湖にボートがあります。There are a few boats on the lake.This sentence uses あります to describe the location of boats.Tatoeba #679880 by arihato, translation #674508 by yessoos
- 海の上に島があります。There are islands in the sea.This sentence uses あります to describe the location of islands.Tatoeba #3670969 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #3663249 by shekitten
- 人々がいます。There are people.
- 人々がいるよ。There are people!
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is looking for a place to eat in a shopping mall.
- 陽葵 Himariあそこに、おいしいレストランがあります。Asoko ni, oishii resutoran ga arimasu.There is a delicious restaurant over there.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。あそこに行きましょう。Honto da. Asoko ni ikimashou.You're right. Let's go there.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さん、メニューはありますか？Ren-san, menyuu wa arimasu ka?Ren, is there a menu?
- 蓮 Renはい、テーブルの上にありますよ。Hai, teeburu no ue ni arimasu yo.Yes, it's on the table.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
