ある
aru[a̠ɾɯ̟]
The English phrase 'there is' is expressed in Japanese as ある (aru).
The phrase is used to say that something exists or is present in a certain place. When describing the existence of something in a particular location, you should use the particle に after the location.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends entirely on what you are describing. Use ある for inanimate objects or abstract concepts. However, to say 'there is' for people or animals (animate beings), you must use いる instead of ある.
How does it change in a sentence?
ある can be conjugated into different forms: the polite form is あります, the past tense is あった and the negative form is ない, which means 'there is not'.
How do you pronounce it?
aru
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ある when referring to people or animals. Use いる for animate beings instead.
Did you know?
- The word ある can be used as a prefix to mean 'a certain' or 'some', as in ある日 for 'one day'.
- In very formal or archaic Japanese, ある is replaced by ござる, which is the root of the polite phrase ございます.
- When a Japanese speaker says ある to mean 'I have it', they are literally saying 'it exists' in their possession.
Examples in context
- 抵抗がある。There is resistance.This sentence shows how to express the existence of resistance.Tatoeba #11358805 by cia_UnitedStatesNa13, translation #12927232 by FEN1X64
- まだ時間がある。There is yet time.This sentence shows how to express that time is still available.Tatoeba #195435 by small_snow, translation #32608 by slyfin
- 朗報があるんだ。There is a piece of good news for you.This sentence shows how to express that there is good news.Tatoeba #9979528 by small_snow, translation #17490 by Zifre
- この本屋にはたくさんの本があります。There are many books in this bookstore.
- コンピュータ上で多くのデータが存在します。There is a lot of data on the computer.
- このお店には美味しいケーキがあるよ。There is delicious cake at this store.
- 公園に子供たちがたくさんいる。There are many children in the park.
- 家の中には猫がいます。There is a cat inside the house.
- 公園におしゃれなカフェがある。There is a stylish cafe in the park.
- 156 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking for a convenience store.
- 陽太 Yotaこの近くにコンビニはある？Kono chikaku ni konbini wa aru?Is there a convenience store near here?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、あそこに一つあるよ。Un, asoko ni hitotsu aru yo.Yes, there is one over there.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。助かったよ。Hontou da. Tasukatta yo.You're right. That helps.
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、どういたしまして。Iie, douitashimashite.No problem.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ある, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
