どこかにありますか？
dokoka ni arimasu ka?
In Japanese, 'where is something?' can be expressed as どこかにありますか？ (dokoka ni arimasu ka?)
This phrase is a question used to ask if a specific item exists or can be found in a certain place.
Which one should you use?
どこかにありますか？ literally asks 'Is it somewhere?', whereas Doko ni arimasu ka? is more accurately used to mean 'Where is it?'
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb あります is used specifically for inanimate objects, such as tools, books or locations, rather than living beings. The particle か at the end of the sentence functions as a question mark in spoken Japanese.
How do you pronounce it?
dokoka ni arimasu ka?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Note that while English speakers often use どこかにありますか? to mean 'Where is it?', the more accurate way to ask 'Where is it?' is Doko ni arimasu ka?
Did you know?
- While あります refers to the existence of objects, the root verb ある can also be used to mean 'to happen' or 'to take place' when referring to events like festivals or meetings.
- Japanese has several words for 'where' depending on the level of politeness, such as どちら which is a more formal and indirect version of どこ.
- If you are looking for a person or a pet instead of an object, you must replace あります with います. Using あります for a human would imply they are a non-living object.
Examples in context
- あの本はどこにありますか？Where is that book?
- カフェはどこですか？Where is the cafe?
- 駅に行く道を教えてください。Please tell me the way to the station.
- 鍵はどこ？Where is the key?
- 近くのどこかにありますか？chikaku no dokoka ni arimasu ka?Is it somewhere nearby?
- 店内のどこかにありますか？tennai no dokoka ni arimasu ka?Is it somewhere inside the shop?
Example conversation
Yui is looking for a pharmacy in the city.
- 結衣 Yuiすみません、近くに薬局はどこかにありますか？Sumimasen, chikaku ni yakkyoku wa dokoka ni arimasu ka?Excuse me, is there a pharmacy somewhere nearby?
- 健太 Kentaはい、あそこの角を曲がったところにありますよ。Hai, asoko no kado o magatta tokoro ni arimasu yo.Yes, there is one just around that corner.
- 結衣 Yui本当ですか。ありがとうございます！Hontō desu ka. Arigatō gozaimasu!Really? Thank you very much!
- 健太 Kentaどういたしまして。お大事に。Dōitashimashite. Odajini.You're welcome. Get well soon.
