18 Aug
あります & います | Minna no Nihongo | Lesson 10
### Understanding あります and います in "Minna no Nihongo" | Lesson 10
In Lesson 10 of "Minna no Nihongo," you’ll learn about the verbs **あります** (arimasu) and **います** (imasu). Both of these verbs are used to indicate existence or presence, but they apply to different types of subjects. Understanding their usage will help you describe the presence of objects and living beings accurately.
### 1. **あります (Arimasu)**
The verb **あります** is used to indicate the existence or presence of **inanimate objects** and **abstract concepts**. It translates to "there is" or "there are" in English when referring to things like objects, places, or events.
- **Usage:**
- **[Location/Place] に [Object/Thing] が あります** — There is/are [object/thing] in [location/place].
- **Examples:**
- **公園にベンチがあります。** (Kōen ni benchi ga arimasu.)
- There is a bench in the park.
- **公園** (kōen, park) is the location, and **ベンチ** (benchi, bench) is the inanimate object present in that location.
- **部屋にテーブルがあります。** (Heya ni tēburu ga arimasu.)
- There is a table in the room.
- **部屋** (heya, room) is the location, and **テーブル** (tēburu, table) is the object.
### 2. **います (Imasu)**
The verb **います** is used to indicate the existence or presence of **living beings**, such as people and animals. It translates to "there is" or "there are" in English when referring to living entities.
- **Usage:**
- **[Location/Place] に [Person/Animal] が います** — There is/are [person/animal] in [location/place].
- **Examples:**
- **公園に子供がいます。** (Kōen ni kodomo ga imasu.)
- There are children in the park.
- **公園** (kōen, park) is the location, and **子供** (kodomo, children) refers to living beings present there.
- **家に猫がいます。** (Ie ni neko ga imasu.)
- There is a cat at home.
- **家** (ie, home) is the location, and **猫** (neko, cat) is the living being.
### Key Differences
- **あります (arimasu)**: Used for inanimate objects, things, and abstract concepts.
- **います (imasu)**: Used for living beings, including people and animals.
### Practical Examples
1. **Describing Locations:**
- **あります (arimasu):**
- **図書館に本があります。** (Toshokan ni hon ga arimasu.)
- There are books in the library.
- **駅に自動販売機があります。** (Eki ni jidōhanbiki ga arimasu.)
- There is a vending machine at the station.
- **います (imasu):**
- **学校に先生がいます。** (Gakkō ni sensei ga imasu.)
- There is a teacher at the school.
- **庭に犬がいます。** (Niwa ni inu ga imasu.)
- There is a dog in the garden.
2. **Questions:**
- **あります (arimasu):**
- **この店に時計がありますか？** (Kono mise ni tokei ga arimasu ka?)
- Is there a clock in this store?
- **います (imasu):**
- **その動物園にパンダがいますか？** (Sono dōbutsuen ni panda ga imasu ka?)
- Are there pandas in that zoo?
### Summary
- Use **あります** to describe the presence of inanimate objects and abstract concepts.
- Use **います** to describe the presence of living beings, such as people and animals.
By mastering the use of **あります** and **います**, you’ll be able to accurately convey the presence of both objects and living beings in various contexts. Practice using these verbs in different sentences to become more comfortable with their applications. Happy studying!
