である
de aru[de̞ a̠ɾɯ̟]
The English phrase "to be" is expressed in Japanese as である (de aru).
In Japanese, the concept of "to be" can be expressed in several ways depending on the context. When expressing the existence or presence of something, いる is used for living beings, whereas ある is used for inanimate objects. である functions as a copula to state identities, qualities or definitions.
Which one should you use?
While である is used for formal writing and academic contexts, the spoken forms だ or です are much more common in daily conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
de aru
Did you know?
- The formal copula である is a contraction of the classical phrase にてあり, which literally means 'being in/at'.
- While である is the standard way to define things in academic writing, using it in a casual conversation would make you sound like a character from a historical drama or a textbook.
- While である defines identity, Japanese often omits the verb 'to be' entirely in casual speech, relying on context to imply existence.
Examples in context
- 彼は正直であるようだ。He seems to be honest.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use である to describe a person's character.Tatoeba #103293 by bunbuku, translation #300400 by CK
- 彼は幸福であるようだ。He seems to be happy.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use である to describe a person's state of being.Tatoeba #107375 by bunbuku, translation #296311 by CK
- もう、夕暮れのようである。It already appears to be dusk.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use である to describe the appearance of a time of day.Tatoeba #10901701 by small_snow, translation #12717062 by end
- 私は学生ですI am a student
- 彼女は先生ですShe is a teacher
- これは本ですThis is a book
- お客様がおりますWe have guests
- 部長は外出されていますThe department manager is currently out
- 友達だHe/She is a friend
- これは便利だThis is convenient
- 犬がいるThere is a dog
- お金があるThere is money
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a difficult book in a library.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの本の内容は、非常に複雑である。Kono hon no naiyou wa, hijou ni fukuzatsu dearu.The content of this book is very complex.
- 陽葵 Himari確かに、理解するのが大変だね。Tashikani, rikai suru no ga taihen da ne.True, it is hard to understand.
- 大翔 Hiroto努力を続けることが重要であると思う。Doryoku o tsuzukeru koto ga juuyou dearu to omou.I think that continuing to put in effort is important.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね。一緒に頑張ろう。Sou da ne. Issho ni ganbarou.I agree. Let's work hard together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry である, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries である, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
