Translation guide
The English word 'there' has several distinct grammatical functions: as a dummy subject for existence/location, as an adverb pointing to a place, and in fixed expressions. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese pattern for each use.
To state that something exists or is present, often introducing new information.
Polite form of ある/いる. Use in formal or polite contexts.
質問があります。
There is a question.
あそこに先生がいます。
There is a teacher over there.
To point to a place away from both speaker and listener.
Means 'that place over there', far from both speaker and listener.
あそこに犬がいる。
There is a dog over there.
Means 'that place near you', close to the listener.
そこに座ってください。
Please sit there.
Polite or formal version of あそこ. Often used in business settings.
To draw someone's attention to something, often with a pointing gesture.
Interjection used to call attention, like 'Look!' or 'See?'.
ほら、あそこに虹が出てるよ。
There! A rainbow is over there.
Can be used to point out something surprising or noticeable, similar to 'Oh, look!'.
あれ、財布がない。
Oh, there! My wallet is gone.
Common phrases where 'there' is part of an idiomatic expression.
Used like 'There we go' or 'There now' when starting something or after finishing a task.
さあ、始めよう。
There, let's begin.
それでは、行きましょう。
There we go, let's go.
Equivalent to 'There, I told you so' when proven right.
ね、言ったでしょ。雨が降ってきた。
There, I told you so. It started raining.
English uses 'there' as a dummy subject in existential sentences. Japanese does not have a dummy subject; instead, use the structure [place]に [thing]が ある/いる.
冷蔵庫にビールがある。
There is beer in the fridge.
Use ある for non-living things, plants, and abstract concepts. Use いる for people, animals, and sometimes robots or dolls with personality. For plants, ある is standard, but いる can be used poetically.
There is a conference room over there.