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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. います

    います

    います

    This word means 'to be' or 'to exist'. You use it for living things, like people or animals. It can also mean 'to have' a living thing.

    N5KMT1PoliteStandardVerb ConstructionMixedBasic ExistenceGrammar

    <Location に> + Animate Subject が + いますPrimary

    This word means 'to be' or 'to exist'. You use it for living things, like people or animals. It can also mean 'to have' a living thing.

    この件けんについて、他ほかに意い見けんがある方かたはいませんか。

    Regarding this matter, is there anyone else who has an opinion?

    FormalNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeBusiness & FinanceWork & Career
    公こう園えんに猫ねこがいます。

    There is a cat in the park.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeAnimalsDaily Life
    昨きの日う、駅えき前まえにたくさんの人ひとがいました。

    There were a lot of people in front of the station yesterday.

    PolitePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeDaily LifeTravel & Transportation
    教きょう室しつに誰だれもいません。

    There is no one in the classroom.

    PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEducation
    日に本ほんに住すんでいる友とも達だちがいますが、もう一いち年ねん会あっていません。

    I have a friend who lives in Japan, but I haven't seen them for a year.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & RelationshipsTravel & Transportation

    This word is for living things. It means 'to be' or 'to exist'. But it also means 'to have'. Think of it like saying 'there is a dog' when you mean 'I have a dog'.

    This word is for living things. It is for people and animals. For things that are not alive, use "あります". For example, you say "A cat is here." You say "A book is here." This word is the polite way to say "to be" for living things.

    Watch out: You use "います" for living things. But in Japanese, plants are not seen as living for this rule. So, use "あります" for plants. For example, say "庭に木があります" (There is a tree in the garden). Do not say "庭に木がいます".

    Often confused with(1)

    あります

    This word means 'there is' or 'there are'. You use it for things that are not alive. It also means 'to have' something.

    Contrasts with(1)

    あります

    This word means 'there is' or 'there are'. You use it for things that are not alive. It also means 'to have' something.

    More formal alternatives(1)

    いる

    You use this word for living things. It means 'to be' or 'to exist'. This includes people and animals.

    ます形

    This is a polite verb ending. You use it to show respect. It is the basic way to speak politely in Japanese.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    more_formal_than

    • いる

    contrasts_with

    • あります

    prerequisite

    • ます形
    • いつもお世話になっております
    • お/ご〜になっています

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