Existence and position

～がいます

there is ~ (people and animals)

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How to form it

  • Place + に + person / animal + が + います: 部屋に猫がいます
  • Person / animal + は + place + に + います: 先生は教室にいます
  • Negative: いません

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Explanation

Says that a person or animal exists or is at a place.

います is for people and animals; あります is generally used for things and plants.

Examples

  1. 部屋に猫がいます。

    へやにねこがいます。

    There is a cat in the room.

  2. 先生は教室にいます。

    せんせいはきょうしつにいます。

    The teacher is in the classroom.

  3. 公園に子どもがたくさんいます。

    こうえんにこどもがたくさんいます。

    There are many children in the park.

Compare with

Common mistakes

  • Using います for things.
  • Using で for place with います.