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.
Use ある for inanimate objects and いる for animate beings. This pattern directly expresses existence without a dummy subject.
Polite form of ある/いる. Use in formal or polite contexts.
There is a question.
To point to a place away from both speaker and listener.
Means 'that place over there', far from both speaker and listener.
To draw someone's attention to something, often with a pointing gesture.
Interjection used to call attention, like 'Look!' or 'See?'.
Common phrases where 'there' is part of an idiomatic expression.
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.
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 teacher over there.
あそこに犬がいる。
There is a dog over there.
Means 'that place near you', close to the listener.
Please sit there.
Polite or formal version of あそこ. Often used in business settings.
There is a conference room over there.
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!'.
Oh, there! My wallet is gone.
There, let's begin.
There we go, let's go.
Equivalent to 'There, I told you so' when proven right.
There, I told you so. It started raining.
庭に木がある。
There is a tree in the garden.
There is a dog.