Speakable Japanese

How to Say "There is" in Japanese: Inanimate Objects (Arimasu)

Hello! In previous lessons, you learned to introduce objects in front of you by saying "This is a pen."
In this adventure, we'll take a step forward and learn to express that an object "exists" and "where it is located." With this, you'll be able to describe your room or talk about what's in a city. Let's begin!

🎯 Lesson Goal

Learn to confidently talk about the "existence" and "location" of objects using the phrase 「(Location)に 〇〇があります」!

Step 1 Discover

Let's look at how this is used to describe a room. Leo and Yumi are looking around.

👨🏼
Leo

このへやに ベッドが あります。

(Kono heya ni beddo ga arimasu.)

👩🏻
Yumi

そのテーブルのうえに 本とペンが あります。

(Sono te-buru no ue ni hon to pen ga arimasu.)

💡

Did you notice?

Both of them use "ni" to mark the location, and "ga arimasu" to say something exists. Also, Yumi uses the particle "to" (と) to link "book" and "pen" together!

Step 2 The Pattern

Here is the most useful chunk for expressing where things are.

Basic Chunk

に が あります。

( ni ga arimasu.)

🔑 Key Point 1: The Particle 'が' (ga)

When we say '机があります' (There is a desk), the main 'character' of the action is '机' (desk). The role of the particle 'が' is to clearly indicate 'what exactly' exists in the sentence. It's best to remember '〇〇があります' as a set phrase.

🌟 Key Point 2: The Particle 'と' (to)

You can list multiple items using the particle 'と' (to), which works like "and". For example, 'AとBがあります' (There is A and B).

Step 3 Pattern Practice

Keep the chunk exactly the same, but swap the words in the blank. Read these out loud!

  • In the park A tree (ki)

    あのこうえんに 木 が あります。

    (Ano kouen ni ki ga arimasu.)

  • Nearby Convenience store (konbini)

    ちかくに コンビニ が あります。

    (Chikaku ni konbini ga arimasu.)

  • Over there Bank & Post office

    あそこに ぎんこうと ゆうびんきょく が あります。

    (Asoko ni ginkou to yuubinkyoku ga arimasu.)

Step 4 Make It Yours!

This is the most important step! Imagine what is in your room or around your house and create your own original sentences.

👉 LOCATION に OBJECT が あります。

Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

In the Room (部屋の中)

  • つくえ tsukue (desk)
  • いす isu (chair)
  • まど mado (window)
  • テレビ terebi (television)

In the City (街・自然)

  • えき eki (station)
  • スーパー su-pa- (supermarket)
  • やま yama (mountain)
  • かわ kawa (river)

Bonus Go Beyond the Basics

In real life, you'll also need to say "There is NO..." and speak casually with friends. Here’s a quick guide to leveling up your conversation!

🙅‍♀️ 1. There is NOT... (Negative)

Basic / Formal

テレビが ありません。

(Terebi ga arimasen.)

Casual (Friends)

テレビが ない。

(Terebi ga nai.)

🤝 2. Friendly & Casual

Shortened form

コンビニが ある。

(Konbini ga aru.)

With friendly emphasis

コンビニが あるよ。

(Konbini ga aru yo.)

Summary Lesson Review

Expressing Existence: Use 〜があります (~ ga arimasu) to state that an inanimate object exists.

Marking Location: Use the particle 「に」(ni) after a place to indicate where the object is located.

Listing Items: Use the particle 「と」(to) to link multiple items together, like 'A and B'.

Practice Drill

1 / X Polite

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