In English we say "there is / there are" for everything — a book, a cat, a friend, a desk.
In Japanese, there are two versions depending on whether the thing is alive or not:
• あります — for THINGS (books, pens, desks, TVs...)
• います — for LIVING things (people, animals)
If it can move on its own → います
If it just sits there → あります
Pattern: [place]に [thing]があります。
Start with the place, then add に (at / in / on).
Then say the thing, add が, and finish with あります.
に = at/in/on (marks the location) が = marks what exists
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| ほん | hon | book |
| ペン | pen | pen |
| ノート | nōto | notebook |
| かばん | kaban | bag |
| でんわ | denwa | phone |
| とけい | tokei | clock |
| テレビ | terebi | TV |
| かぎ | kagi | key |
| つくえ | tsukue | desk |
| ベッド | beddo | bed |
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| へや | heya | room |
| きょうしつ | kyōshitsu | classroom |
| いえ | ie | home |
| カフェ | kafe | cafe |
| コンビニ | konbini | convenience store |
Activity 1: Match the meaning
Click the correct English meaning.
1. いえにほんがあります。
2. カフェにペンがあります。
3. へやにテレビがあります。
Activity 2: Build the sentence
Click the words in the correct order.
1. There is a book at home.
2. There is a TV in the room.
3. There is a pen at the cafe.
Pattern: [place]に [person/animal]がいます。
Same structure as Pattern 1 — but for living things, use います instead of あります.
• People: teachers, friends, family, children
• Animals: cats, dogs, birds, fish
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| せんせい | sensei | teacher |
| ともだち | tomodachi | friend |
| こども | kodomo | child |
| おかあさん | okāsan | mom |
| おとうさん | otōsan | dad |
| ねこ | neko | cat |
| いぬ | inu | dog |
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| きょうしつ | kyōshitsu | classroom |
| いえ | ie | home / house |
| カフェ | kafe | cafe |
| こうえん | kōen | park |
Two question words you'll use in class when asking about things and people at a place:
| Japanese | Reading | English |
|---|---|---|
| なに | nani | what |
| だれ | dare | who |
Activity 1: Choose あります or います
Click the correct verb for each sentence.
1. へやにねこが（ ）。 — There is a cat in the room.
2. いえにほんが（ ）。 — There is a book at home.
3. きょうしつにせんせいが（ ）。 — There is a teacher in the classroom.
4. カフェにペンが（ ）。 — There is a pen at the cafe.
5. いえにいぬが（ ）。 — There is a dog at home.
Activity 2: Build the sentence
Click the words in the correct order.
1. There is a teacher in the classroom.
2. There is a cat in the room.
Read through the conversation slowly. The words in italics are the patterns you are learning. English translations are below each line.
ALEX: わあ、おおきいいえですね！テレビがありますか？
Wow, what a big house! Is there a TV?
YUKI: はい、へやにテレビがあります。
Yes, there is a TV in the room.
ALEX: ねこがいますか？
Do you have a cat?
YUKI: はい、へやにねこがいます。
Yes, there's a cat in the room.
ALEX: かわいい！おかあさんはいますか？
Cute! Is your mom here?
YUKI: いいえ、いまはいません。カフェにいます。
No, she's not here right now. She's at a cafe.
ALEX: そうですか。ありがとう、ゆきさん！
I see. Thanks, Yuki!
Imagine you're at a Japanese convenience store. Read the conversation out loud!
YOU: すみません、みずはありますか？
Excuse me, is there water?
STAFF: はい、あそこにあります。
Yes, it's over there.
YOU: おにぎりもありますか？
Are there rice balls too?
STAFF: はい、ここにおにぎりがあります。
Yes, the rice balls are here.
YOU: えいごのスタッフはいますか？
Is there any English-speaking staff?
STAFF: はい、あそこにいます！
Yes, they're over there!
YOU: ありがとうございます！
Thank you very much!
• みず and おにぎり are things → あります
• スタッフ (staff) is a person → います
Prestudy Checklist:
KEY EXPRESSIONS — もういちどよんでみましょう！
You now know the key patterns and vocabulary for Lesson 4. In class, you will practice saying what exists at a place, asking "Is there a ___?" questions, and doing a convenience store roleplay with your tutor.