Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of stating what exists and where things are.
- Distinguish between animate and inanimate objects.
- Use Arimasu for objects and plants.
- Use Imasu for people and animals.
배울 내용
Hey there! In this chapter, we're going to take a huge leap in your Japanese learning journey. You know, at first, Japanese might seem tough, but with Desu and Arimasu/Imasu, you'll quickly be able to introduce yourself and state what exists and what doesn't. Think of Desu as a super polite equals sign (=)! It always comes at the end of a sentence, and you use it to say things like
I am a studentor
This is a book.When you want to be polite and speak beautifully,
Desu is your best friend. Once you master this, you can handle 90% of daily conversations with respect, for example, when you want to say This is coffee at a Japanese cafe or introduce yourself to someone new. After that, we'll dive into Arimasu and Imasu, which are used to say there is or exists. There's a simple rule: if something is alive and moves on its own (like people or animals), you use Imasu. But if it's something stationary or inanimate (like a table, a book, or even a tree), you use Arimasu. It's super practical! For instance, you can say "There's a cat in the room or There's a library here." By the time you finish this chapter, you'll comfortably be able to introduce yourself and others, talk about objects and people, and even state "what is and what isn't." These are crucial foundations for navigating Japan and speaking with confidence. So, let's go learn Japanese!
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존재와 소유: Arimasu(있습니다) vs Imasu(있습니다)스스로 움직이는 생물은 «います», 가만히 있는 무생물은 «あります»를 사용하세요!
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: Correctly identify whether to use Arimasu or Imasu based on the subject's animacy.
챕터 가이드
Overview
Stating Existence and Identitywill empower you to communicate effectively from day one.
I am a studentor
This is a bookusing Desu, the polite
equals sign of Japanese. Then, we'll dive into Arimasu and Imasu, which allow you to articulate there is or exists for both inanimate objects and living beings.How This Grammar Works
equals sign of Japanese. It’s a polite copula that links a noun or noun phrase to another noun or adjective, stating identity or a characteristic. and The Japanese Copula: Using 'Desu' for Identity." It always comes at the end of a sentence.and is a cornerstone ofJapanese Politeness Basics: Using Desu and Masu." It makes your sentences polite and complete.
Existence: Arimasu vs Imasu (There is/are).These verbs both mean
there is or exists, but their usage depends on what you're talking about.
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Wrong: 私学生。 (Watashi gakusei.)
- 1✗ Wrong: 部屋に犬があります。(Heya ni inu ga arimasu.)
Arimasu vs Imasu mix-up. Dogs are living beings that can move independently, so you must use Imasu to state their existence. Arimasu is reserved for inanimate objects.- 1✗ Wrong: ここに図書館です。(Koko ni toshokan desu.)
This is a library), when talking about the *existence* of something at a location (
There is a library here), you need to use Arimasu (for inanimate objects) or Imasu (for animate objects).
Real Conversations
A
(What is this?)
B
(That is a pen.)
A
(Is there a cat in the room?)
B
(Yes, there is a cat.)
A
(Is there a book on the desk?)
B
(No, there isn't a book.)
Quick FAQ
Why is Desu so important in Japanese beginner grammar?
Desu is crucial because it's the polite way to form basic identity and descriptive sentences. It makes your Japanese sound natural and respectful, which is fundamental in Japanese communication.
What's the main difference between Arimasu vs Imasu?
The main difference is whether the subject is animate or inanimate. Imasu is for living things that can move on their own (people, animals), while Arimasu is for inanimate objects or stationary living things (books, desks, trees).
Can I use Desu with adjectives?
While Desu often follows nouns, it also attaches to the end of *i-adjectives* and *na-adjectives* to make them polite and complete the sentence, for example,
おいしいです(oishii desu, it is delicious) or
きれいです(kirei desu, it is beautiful).
Is there a non-polite form of Desu?
Yes, the plain form of Desu is だ (da), but at the A1 level, focusing on Desu is essential for polite and appropriate communication in most situations.
Cultural Context
주요 예문 (2)
팁과 요령 (1)
사람을 물건 취급하지 마세요
핵심 어휘 (7)
Real-World Preview
At a Pet Shop
Review Summary
- [Noun] が あります/います
자주 하는 실수
Cats are living creatures. Using 'arimasu' makes it sound like the cat is an inanimate object or a toy.
When simply stating that something exists for the first time, the particle 'ga' is used rather than 'wa'.
Even though cars move, they are not 'alive' in the biological sense. Use 'arimasu' for vehicles.
이 챕터의 규칙 (1)
Next Steps
You're doing fantastic! Distinguishing between animate and inanimate existence is a major milestone in thinking like a Japanese speaker.
Inventory Walkthrough: Walk through your house and say out loud what 'arimasu' and what 'imasu'.
빠른 연습 (3)
강아지를 키우고 있어요: {私|Watashi}는 {犬|inu}가 ___。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 존재와 소유: Arimasu(있습니다) vs Imasu(있습니다)
공원에 있는 아주 큰 나무를 가리키며: {あそこ|Asoko}에 {大|おお}きい {木|き}가 ___。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 존재와 소유: Arimasu(있습니다) vs Imasu(있습니다)
Find and fix the mistake:
와이파이 있는지 물어볼 때: Wi-Fi가 いますか？
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 존재와 소유: Arimasu(있습니다) vs Imasu(있습니다)
Score: /3
자주 묻는 질문 (2)
{死体|shitai})는 물건으로 취급해서 arimasu를 쓰지만, 유령({幽霊|yuurei})은 의지가 있다고 봐서 imasu를 써요.
