ある
ある · godan verb (-ru, irregular)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | ある | ない |
| Polite | あります | ありません |
| Past polite | ありました | ありませんでした |
| Past | あった | なかった |
| Te-form | あって | ないで |
| Desire | ありたい | ありたくない |
| Volitional | あろう | |
| Polite volitional | ありましょう | |
| Imperative | あれ | あるな |
| Conditional | あれば | なければ |
| Tara conditional | あったら | なかったら |
Meanings
godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb
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: いる
There is a book on the desk.
Long ago, there was a large lake in this area.
godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb
have; possess; there is available
Expresses possession or availability with the thing possessed marked by が. In English this often becomes 'have,' but grammatically ある remains intransitive.
I have time today.
Do you have any questions?
godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb
be located; be situated
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.
The station is next to city hall.
godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb
be equipped with; have as a facility or feature
Used when a place, room, product, or system has a feature, facility, or equipment available.
This room is equipped with air conditioning.
This hotel has a large pool.
godan verb (-ru, irregular), intransitive verb
happen; take place; come about
Common with events, incidents, meetings, and occasions. The event is usually marked by が or は.
There was an accident in front of the station yesterday.
There will be a meeting tomorrow afternoon.
auxiliary verb, godan verb (-ru, irregular)
be in a completed state; be left as done
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.
The documents have been placed on the desk.
Instructions are written on the door.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉に〈物〉があるthere is 〈物〉 at/in 〈場所〉
There is a desk in the room.
- 〈人〉に〈物〉があるsomeone has something (possession)
He has money.
- 〈場所〉は〈場所〉にあるa place is located at/in another place
The school is located near the station.
- 〈物〉には〈物〉があるsomething is equipped with a certain feature
This car has a navigation system.
- 〈事〉があるan event takes place
There is a meeting tomorrow.
- 〈動詞〉てあるsomething has been done and remains in that state
The door has been left open.