Translation guide
The English verb 'are' is a form of 'be' used with plural subjects and the pronoun 'you'. Japanese does not have a direct equivalent that works in all cases. The translation depends on the grammatical role: as a copula (X is Y), as an existential verb (there is/are), or as an auxiliary in progressive/ passive constructions. Often, the copula is omitted in informal speech.
There are books on the desk.
Existence verb あります for inanimate objects
Expressing that the subject equals or has the quality of the complement (e.g., 'They are teachers', 'You are kind').
The standard polite copula pattern. です is the copula equivalent to 'am/is/are'. Use with nouns and na-adjectives. For i-adjectives, the adjective itself contains the copula and です is only for politeness.
They are students.
You are kind.
The plain (informal) copula. Used in casual speech, written language, and embedded clauses. Often omitted in casual conversation when the context is clear.
Those people are teachers.
In very casual speech, especially with i-adjectives or when the predicate is obvious, the copula can be dropped. This is common in short responses or exclamations.
This is delicious!
Ultra-polite/humble copula. Used in formal business settings or when showing extreme respect. Rare in daily conversation.
Indicating the existence or presence of people, animals, or things (e.g., 'There are cats', 'Are there any questions?').
Used for animate beings (people, animals). The polite form is います, plain is . The pattern is 'Location Subject '.
Describing an action in progress (e.g., 'They are eating', 'You are running').
The standard progressive form. For most verbs, it indicates an ongoing action. For some verbs (e.g., 知っています), it indicates a resulting state.
Indicating that the subject receives the action (e.g., 'They are loved', 'The windows are cleaned').
Japanese passive is formed by adding れる (godan verbs) or られる (ichidan verbs) to the stem. The agent is marked by に. Often implies adversity or receiving an action.
Asking about someone's state, identity, or actions. Note that 'you' is often omitted in Japanese when clear from context.
In questions, 'you' is usually omitted unless necessary for clarity. The verb ending and context make the subject clear.
Are you a student?
English 'are' has no single Japanese equivalent. Translating it as ある or いる in copula sentences is incorrect. Use です/だ for 'X is Y', and いる/ある for existence.
They are kind.
You are my friend.
Polite; あなた can sound distant, so use name if possible
Who is that person?
There are children in the park.
There are two cats.
Used for inanimate objects, plants, and abstract things. Polite form is あります, plain is ある. Pattern: 'Location に Subject が あります'.
There are books on the desk.
Are there any questions?
When 'there is/are' is part of a modifying clause, use the plain form いる/ある directly before the noun.
Who is the person (who is) over there?
Please use the things that are in the fridge.
They are eating.
What are you doing?
Casual progressive form. Used in informal speech and writing.
What are you doing now?
They are loved by everyone.
The windows are cleaned every week.
English passives often translate to Japanese intransitive verbs or active constructions, especially when the agent is not important.
The door was opened. (lit. The door opened.)
This book is sold well.
Are you well?
When addressing someone directly, using their name or title is more natural and polite than あなた.
Are you a student, Mr. Tanaka?
公園に犬がいます。
There are dogs in the park.
Use いる for people and animals (animate), ある for objects and plants (inanimate). This distinction is strict; using the wrong one sounds unnatural.
There is a person.
There is a book.
Japanese often omits subjects like 'you', 'they', 'we' when they are clear from context. Including them can sound overly explicit or even rude.
Are you going?
We are happy.
There are many people.
Are you ready?