GrammarJLPT N5
→ to exist (inanimate)
To exist / To be located / To have (for inanimate things)
JLPT N5Auxiliary verbNeutral
ある is one of the two fundamental existence verbs in Japanese, used to express the existence, location, or possession of inanimate objects, abstract concepts, events, and other non-living things. While いる is used for living, animate beings such as people and animals, ある covers everything else: books, buildings, ideas, events, time, and so on. The basic pattern is [thing] が ある to state that something exists, and [place] に [thing] が ある to state where something is located. It can also express possession in the pattern [person] は/に [thing] が ある, meaning someone 'has' something. Despite being classified as a Godan verb, ある is irregular in that its negative form is ない rather than the expected あらない. As an auxiliary verb, ある appears in the pattern て + ある to indicate that something has been done intentionally and the resulting state remains, which contrasts with ている which focuses on an ongoing action or state. Understanding the distinction between ある and いる is one of the most essential grammar skills at the beginner level.
Functions
#1 Expressing existence of inanimate things
Structure
[Thing] が + ある
テストが あります。
Here あります (the polite form of ある) expresses the existence of an inanimate or abstract thing — in this case, a test or exam. The particle が marks the thing that exists. This is the most fundamental use of ある: simply stating that something exists or that an event is scheduled to take place. Since a test is not a living being, ある is used rather than いる.There is a test.
Structures
- Existence
- [Thing] が + ある
- Location
- [Place] に + [Thing] が + ある
- Possession
- [Person] は/に + [Thing] が + ある
- Resultant state (auxiliary)
- Verb (て-form) + ある
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is confusing ある with いる. Remember that ある is for inanimate objects, abstract things, and events, while いる is for people, animals, and other living beings. Another frequent error is forming the negative as あらない instead of the correct irregular form ない. Learners also sometimes confuse て + ある (resultant state from intentional action) with て + いる (ongoing state or action); for example, まどが開けてある means the window was opened on purpose and remains open, while まどが開いている simply describes the window being open without emphasizing intent. Finally, beginners may forget that possession with ある uses が to mark the possessed item, not を, since ある is intransitive.
Related
いるがあるがいるてあるであるもある