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.
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.
The plain (informal) copula. Used in casual speech, written language, and embedded clauses. Often omitted in casual conversation when the context is clear.
あの人たちは先生だ。
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.
Ultra-polite/humble copula. Used in formal business settings or when showing extreme respect. Rare in daily conversation.
私は田中でございます。
I am Tanaka.
Indicating the existence or presence of people, animals, or things (e.g., 'There are cats', 'Are there any questions?').
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.
彼らは食べています。
They are eating.
あなたは何をしていますか？
What are you doing?
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.
彼らはみんなに愛されています。
They are loved by everyone.
窓は毎週掃除されます。
The windows are cleaned every week.
Asking about someone's state, identity, or actions. Note that 'you' is often omitted in Japanese when clear from context.
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.
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.
人がいる。
There is a person.
Used for animate beings (people, animals). The polite form is います, plain is いる. The pattern is 'Location に Subject が います'.
公園に子供たちがいます。
There are children in the park.
猫が二匹います。
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'.
机の上に本があります。
There are books on the desk.
質問がありますか？
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.
あそこにいる人は誰ですか？
Who is the person (who is) over there?
冷蔵庫にあるものを使ってください。
Please use the things that are in the fridge.
Casual progressive form. Used in informal speech and writing.
今、何してる？
What are you doing now?
English passives often translate to Japanese intransitive verbs or active constructions, especially when the agent is not important.
ドアが開きました。
The door was opened. (lit. The door opened.)
この本はよく売れています。
This book is sold well.
When addressing someone directly, using their name or title is more natural and polite than あなた.
田中さんは学生ですか？
Are you a student, Mr. Tanaka?
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.
行きますか？
Are you going?
本がある。
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.
行きますか？
Are you going?