Learn Japanese grammar: がいます (ga imasu) & がいる (ga iru). Meaning: used to say there is or something is for LIVING things.
The verb いる (iru) comes from 居る (iru), which is the verb for to be (for living things). However, when used in this grammar form, the hiragana form is used instead of the kanji form.
- This form can only be used with living things.
- For non-living things, use があります (ga arimasu) instead.
- The が is changed to a に/は for places.
- Can also mean to have or not have.
Let’s look at some basic examples.
Example A) to be がいます (ga imasu)
- シャワーには誰かがいます。
- shawaa ni wa dareka ga imasu.
- Someone is in the shower.
Example B) place にいます (ni imasu )
- 今どこにいますか？
- ima doko ni imasu ka?
- Where are you now?
Example C) to have がいます (ga imasu)
- 子どもがいますか？
- kodomo ga imasu ka?
- Do you have any children?
Example D) negative がいません (ga imasen)
- いいえ、子どもがいません。
- iie, kodomo ga imasen.
- No, I do not have any children.
Become a JLPT Sensei member on Patreon for extra bonus downloads.
がいます - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.
Example #1
テーブルの下に猫がいる。
Example #2
あなたは彼氏がいるの？
Example #3
私には兄弟がいないんだ。
Example #4
弟一人妹一人がいます。
Example #5
その部屋に犬がいる。
Example #6
今学校にだれもいません。
Example #7
東京駅に観光者がいっぱいいる。
Vocabulary List 語彙
| Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
|---|---|---|
| 誰か | だれか | somebody |
| 今 | いま | where |
| どこ | where | |
| 子供 | こども | children |
| 私 | わたし | I; me |
| 猫 | ねこ | cat |
| 彼氏 | かれし | boyfriend |
| 兄弟 | きょうだい | siblings |
| 東京駅 | とうきょうえき | Tokyo station |
| 観光者 | かんこうしゃ | tourist |
| いっぱい | a lot | |
| もう | already | |
| 晩ご飯 | ばんごはん | dinner |
| 時間 | じかん | ~time |
| ですが | although | |
| お父さん | おとうさん | father; dad |
| まだ | still | |
| 事務所 | じむしょ | office |
View all JLPT N5 Vocabulary Lessons
View all JLPT N5 Grammar Lessons
Recommended JLPT N5 Books
Nihongo So-matome: JLPT N5
This book covers everything you need to pass the JLPT N5 in just 6 weeks! (Kanji, Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension)
See price on Amazon
GENKI I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
This is the best all around book for beginners learning Japanese in English. I used this in my first year studying Japanese. I found it to be far better and easier to use than the many other books I was using.
See price on Amazon
Jlpt N5 Japanese Lauguage Proficiency Test Official Practice Test
This is the official practice test of the JLPT N5. I highly recommend doing at least 1 practice test before taking the real test.
See price on Amazon
Jlpt N5 Japanese Lauguage Proficiency Test Official Practice Test (NEW 2018)
This is the new version of the official JLPT N5 practice test. If you've already taken the old practice test, this is a good option to practice with some different questions.
See price on Amazon
