ある

あ

る

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 100

Meanings

godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb

be; exist

usually written using kana alone

Basic existential verb, usually for inanimate things, places, abstract matters, and events. People and animals normally use いる; English may sometimes translate this broadly as 'live' only in the sense of 'exist' or 'be present.'

See also: 居る (いる)

机つくえの上うえに本ほんがある。
There is a book on the desk.

昔むかし、この地ち域いきには大おおきな湖みずうみがあった。

Long ago, there was a large lake in this area.

godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb

have; possess; there is available

usually written using kana alone

Expresses possession or availability with the thing possessed marked by が. In English this often becomes 'have,' but grammatically ある remains intransitive.

今日きょうは時じ間かんがある。
I have time today.
何なにか質しつ問もんはありますか。
Do you have any questions?

godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb

be located; be situated

usually written using kana alone

Used to state where a place, building, object, or institution is located. 在る is a possible kanji spelling for this sense, but kana is common.

駅えきは市し役やく所しょの隣となりにある。
The station is next to city hall.

godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb

be equipped with; have as a facility or feature

usually written using kana alone

Used when a place, room, product, or system has a feature, facility, or equipment available.

この部屋へやにはエアコンがある。
This room is equipped with air conditioning.
このホテルには大おおきなプールがある。
This hotel has a large pool.

godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb

happen; take place; come about

usually written using kana alone

Common with events, incidents, meetings, and occasions. The event is usually marked by が or は.

昨日きのう、駅えき前まえで事じ故こがあった。
There was an accident in front of the station yesterday.
明日あしたの午ご後ごに会かい議ぎがあります。
There will be a meeting tomorrow afternoon.

auxiliary verb, godan verb (-ru, irregular)

be in a completed state; be left as done

usually written using kana alone

Auxiliary use after the て-form of a transitive verb, as in 置いてある or 書いてある. It describes the result of an intentional action remaining in place or unchanged.

机つくえの上うえに資し料りょうが置おいてある。
The documents have been placed on the desk.
ドアに案あん内ないが書かいてある。
Instructions are written on the door.

Written forms

あるUsage99%
Standard everyday spelling. The senses are usually written in kana.
有あるUsage<1%
Kanji spelling associated broadly with existence, possession, availability, and occurrence; less common than kana in ordinary modern writing.
在あるUsage<1%
Kanji spelling especially associated with existing or being located somewhere; kana is still more usual in everyday writing.
アルUsage0%

Kanji

有possess, have, exist
在exist, outskirts, suburbs

Similar words

居いる
Used for people and animals being present or existing; ある is normally for inanimate things, places, abstract matters, and events.
持もつ
A transitive verb meaning to hold, own, or carry something; ある expresses possession indirectly, as in お金がある.
起おこる
Means an event or problem occurs, often with more focus on the occurrence itself; ある is broader and also covers scheduled events such as 会議がある.
備そなわる
Means a feature or ability is built in or naturally possessed; ある is the more general everyday way to say a facility or feature exists.

Etymology

A native Japanese verb with very old basic existential use. The kanji 有る and 在る are conventional spellings that distinguish nuances of existence/possession and location, but modern everyday Japanese usually writes the word in kana.