You use this word for living things. It means 'to be' or 'to exist'. This includes people and animals.
Noun + が + いるPrimary
You use this word for living things. It means 'to be' or 'to exist'. This includes people and animals.
ソファの上に猫がいる。
There is a cat on the sofa.
昨日、公園にたくさんの人がいた。
Yesterday, there were a lot of people in the park.
教室に誰もいない。
There is no one in the classroom.
パーティーに行ったけど、田中さんはいなかった。
I went to the party, but Tanaka-san wasn't there.
あそこにいる人は誰ですか。
Who is that person over there?
Imagine 'いる' is like a spotlight. It shines on living things to show they are there. But it can also join other verbs. Then it shows an action happening right now. Like a movie playing.
This word is for living things. Think of people or animals. For things that are not alive, you use "aru." "Iru" is the casual way to say "imasu." "Aru" is the casual way to say "arimasu."
Don't use this when talking about plants. Even though plants are alive, you use "aru" for them. For example, say "niwa ni ki ga aru" (There is a tree in the garden).
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