Expressing Existence: Arimasu and Imasu

The secret sauce here is the "Animate vs. Inanimate" rule.

Japanese culture places high importance on the distinction of life.

あります (Arimasu) is for objects that cannot move by themselves.

This includes plants, too, even though they are technically alive!

Think of plants as "stationary life" for now.

Cars, buildings, and your favorite coffee mug all take あります (arimasu).

Even abstract things like "time" or "plans" use あります (arimasu).

On the flip side, います (imasu) is for things with a pulse.

People, dogs, cats, and even annoying mosquitoes use います (imasu).

If it can crawl, walk, or run away from you, use います (imasu).

It is like a grammar traffic light.

Red (stop/stationary) for あります (arimasu).

Green (go/moving) for います (imasu).

Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired.

But for you, it will become second nature with practice.

1. 1Identify the object you want to talk about.
2. 2Choose between あります (arimasu) or います (imasu) based on its "aliveness."
3. 3Use the particle が (ga) to mark the subject.
4. 4The basic pattern is: [Noun] が (ga) [Arimasu/Imasu].
5. 5If you want to say where it is, add the location first.
6. 6The full pattern is: [Location] に (ni) [Noun] が (ga) [Arimasu/Imasu].
7. 7Remember, に (ni) marks the spot, like an "X" on a map.
8. 8For example: Tsukue no ue ni hon ga arimasu.
9. 9This means "There is a book on the desk."
10. 10For a person: Heya ni Tanaka-san ga imasu.
11. 11This means "Mr. Tanaka is in the room."

You will use this pattern constantly in daily life.

Use it when you are ordering food at a restaurant.

"Do you have coffee?" becomes Koohii ga arimasu ka?

Use it when you are looking for your friends.

"Where is Ken?" involves checking if he います (imasu) somewhere.

It is perfect for describing what is in your bag.

"I have a wallet, a phone, and a snack."

Actually, stating ownership in Japanese often uses this "existence" pattern.

Instead of saying "I own a dog," you say "A dog exists for me."

Inu ga imasu covers both "There is a dog" and "I have a dog."

It is also vital for asking directions.

"Is there a convenience store nearby?" is a classic traveler's sentence.

Use it at job interviews to talk about your skills or experience.

"I have experience" uses あります (arimasu).

It really is the Swiss Army knife of Japanese grammar.

Don't use あります (arimasu) or います (imasu) for actions.

If you are eating, sleeping, or dancing, use action verbs instead.

These existence verbs are strictly for "being" in a place.

Also, don't confuse them with です (desu).

です (Desu) means "A equals B," like "I am a student."

Arimasu/Imasu means "A exists," like "There is a student."

Think of です (desu) as an equals sign (=).

Think of arimasu/imasu as a physical presence.

Also, avoid using います (imasu) for dead things.

If a fish is on your dinner plate, it has graduated to あります (arimasu).

It might have been います (imasu) in the ocean, but now it is food.

That is a bit dark, but it helps you remember!

Lastly, don't use these to describe qualities.

If you want to say a room is "clean," use an adjective.

Existence verbs only care if the thing is physically there.

One big trap is the particle は (wa) versus が (ga).

Beginners often say Hon wa arimasu when they mean Hon ga arimasu.

While both can be correct, が (ga) is the standard for "existence."

Another classic mistake is using います (imasu) for plants.

Trees and flowers stay still, so they use あります (arimasu).

Yes, even if they are "living" biologically.

I know, it feels a bit unfair to the sunflowers.

Also, watch out for your location particles.

Don't use で (de) to mark where something exists.

De is for where an action happens.

Ni is for where something simply sits or stands.

If you say Heya de neko ga imasu, it sounds a bit off.

Stick to に (ni) for your "address" particle.

Finally, don't forget the polite endings.

In casual speech, you will hear ある (aru) and いる (iru).

But as a beginner, stick to あります (arimasu) and います (imasu).

It is better to be too polite than accidentally rude.

Let’s compare あります (arimasu) with です (desu) one more time.

Imagine you see a bag on a chair.

If you say Kore wa kaban desu, you are identifying it.

"This is a bag."

If you say Kaban ga arimasu, you are pointing it out.

"There is a bag."

It is the difference between "What is it?" and "Where is it?"

Also, compare あります (arimasu) with the possessive motte imasu.

Motte imasu literally means "to be holding/carrying."

Use motte imasu for things you physically have on you.

Use あります (arimasu) for general ownership or presence.

If you have a car at home, use あります (arimasu).

If you are holding a cup of tea, use motte imasu.

It’s like the difference between your house and your pocket.

Understanding these subtle shifts makes you a grammar ninja.

Soon, you will be picking the right verb without even thinking.