ある

godan verb

to exist, to be (inanimate)

1. to exist, to be (for inanimate objects)

Expresses the existence of inanimate objects, abstract concepts, events, or locations. The counterpart for animate beings (people, animals) is いる.

There is a book.

There is a book on the desk.

There is a bed and a desk in this room.

There's a meeting tomorrow, so I have to go to bed early.

There is an old shrine in this town, and many people visit it every year.

2. to have, to possess

Expresses possession, often with the structure [person]は[thing]がある. お金(おかね)がある (to have money), 時間(じかん)がある (to have time).

I have time.

Do you have any questions?

He is a talented person.

If you have time, would you like to go see a movie together?

This job requires someone with experience, so it might be difficult with only young people.

3. to be located

Indicates where something is located. 駅(えき)はどこにありますか (Where is the station?).

Where is the station?

The bank is near the station.

The convenience store is around that corner.

The company's office is on the fifth floor of this building.

My house is in a quiet residential area, and there is both a park and a school nearby.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Counterpart for animate beings: いる. Pattern: Xがある.

ASPECT: ある is a stative verb and does not normally take ている. Use ある directly for existence/possession.

COMMON PATTERNS:

IRREGULAR FORMS:

IMPORTANT: ある is for inanimate objects, いる is for animate beings. This distinction is fundamental in Japanese.

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