はい、あります
hai, arimasu
In Japanese, "yes, I have" can be expressed as はい、あります (hai, arimasu).
This phrase is used to answer a question asking if you possess a certain object or if something exists, specifically when the subject is a non-living object or an abstract concept. It is the standard response to the question 「～はありますか」.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the affirmative particle はい meaning 'yes' and the polite verb あります which literally means 'to exist' or 'there is' for inanimate objects.
Which one should you use?
はい、あります is used specifically for inanimate objects like books, keys or ideas. If you are confirming the possession or presence of a living thing, such as a person or an animal, you must use はい、います instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb あります is used only for inanimate objects and cannot be used to say you have a living thing like a pet or a person.
How do you pronounce it?
hai, arimasu
Did you know?
- Even though the English translation is 'I have', the phrase はい、あります contains no word for 'I' or 'me'. In Japanese, the subject is often omitted when it is understood from the context.
- If you use はい、あります to say you have a friend or a dog, you are grammatically treating them as inanimate objects. This can sound cold or unintentionally insulting to a native speaker.
- The word あります is derived from the ancient verb あり, which originally described the state of being or the manifestation of a thing.
Examples in context
- はい、持っています。Yes, I have it.
Example conversation
A student asks a classmate if they have an extra pen.
- 大翔 Hirotoすみません、予備のペンはありますか？Sumimasen, yobi no pen wa arimasu ka?Excuse me, do you have a spare pen?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、あります。どうぞ。Hai, arimasu. Douzo.Yes, I have one. Here you go.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます、助かりました。Arigatou gozaimasu, tasukarimashita.Thank you, that helped a lot.
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、どういたしまして。Iie, dou itashimashite.No, you're welcome.
