Learn Japanese grammar: ことがある (koto ga aru). Meaning: there are times when ~; sometimes do.
ことがある (koto ga aru) is used to say:
- there are times when ~
- sometimes do ~
- to have things to do (examples 9~10)
It must be used with a non-past verb.
- When using a past-tense verb, use たことがある (ta koto ga aru) instead.

Click the image to download the flashcard.
Download all N4 grammar flashcards.

Download our complete
JLPT N4 Grammar Master E-book.
Access ALL extra downloads, ebooks, and study guides by supporting JLPT Sensei on Patreon.
ことがある - 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
たまに彼女と一緒にテニスをしに行くことがある。
Example #2
たまに自転車で通勤することがある。
Example #3
私は会議中でも、寝てしまうことがある。
Example #4
時々仕事をやめたいと思うことがある。
Example #5
私の地元は6月でも寒いことがある。
Example #6
普段は母がご飯を作りますが、私が作ることもあります。
Example #7
時々ベトナム料理を作ることがあります。
Example #8
たまに人の名前を忘れることがあります。
Example #9
話したいことがある。
Example #10
今週はたくさんのやることがります。
Vocabulary List 語彙
Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
---|---|---|
たまに | sometimes | |
彼女 | かのじょ | girlfriend; her; she |
行く | いく | to go |
自転車 | じてんしゃ | bicycle |
通勤 | つうきん | commute |
私 | わたし | I |
会議中 | かいぎちゅう | during the meeting |
寝る | ねる | to sleep |
時々 | ときどき | sometimes |
仕事 | しごと | work |
辞める | やめる | to quit |
思う | おもう | to think |
地元 | じもと | hometown |
寒い | さむい | cold |
普段 | ふだん | normally |
ご飯を作る | ごはんをつくる | to make a meal |
料理 | りょうり | cooking; food |
名前 | なまえ | name |
忘れる | わすれる | to forget |
話す | はなす | to speak; to say |
今週 | こんしゅう | this week |
沢山 | たくさん | a lot |
View all JLPT N4 Vocabulary Lessons

View all JLPT N4 Grammar Lessons

Recommended JLPT N4 Books
Nihongo So-matome: JLPT N4 Grammar
This book covers all of the JLPT N4 Grammar in 6 weeks! (It also includes reading and listening practice)
See price on Amazon
GENKI II: 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. This is the second book in the series and should cover most of what you need to pass JLPT N4.
See price on Amazon
Kanzen Master Jlpt Grammar N4
This book covers all of the grammar that you need to know to pass the JLPT N4, and includes great practice excercises. One down side though, is it's mostly in Japanese, but that will help you in the long run.
See price on Amazon
Jlpt N4 Japanese Lauguage Proficiency Test Official Practice Test
This is the official practice test of the JLPT N4. I highly recommend doing at least 1 practice test before taking the real test.
See price on Amazon