Existence: Arimasu vs Imasu (There is/are)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {あります|あります} for inanimate objects and {います|います} for living things like people or animals.
- Use {あります|あります} for things that don't move (e.g., {本|ほん}が{あります|あります}).
- Use {います|います} for things that move or breathe (e.g., {猫|ねこ}が{います|います}).
- Always use the particle {が|が} to mark the item that exists.
Overview
Japanese, unlike English, employs distinct verbs to express existence: あります (arimasu) and います (imasu). This fundamental distinction is rooted in the Japanese linguistic concept of animacy, categorizing entities into those possessing independent movement or life force, and those that do not. For learners, mastering this difference is crucial for accurate and natural communication, as it reflects a core aspect of how Japanese speakers perceive and describe the world around them.
At its simplest, います is used for animate beings, while あります is used for inanimate objects, phenomena, and events. This grammatical division is not always directly parallel to biological life. Instead, it emphasizes agency—the capacity for self-initiated action or internal will.
Understanding this core principle unlocks the logic behind many seemingly arbitrary classifications.
Consider the difference: in English, you might say "There is a dog" and "There is a chair." In Japanese, these require different verbs. A dog, with its ability to move and act independently, uses います. A chair, being stationary and lacking self-will, uses あります.
This precision reflects a deeply ingrained grammatical framework that shapes sentence structure and meaning.
How This Grammar Works
あります and います serve two primary functions in Japanese: to indicate the existence of something at a particular location, and to denote possession. While they both translate to "there is/are" or "to have," their application is strictly governed by the nature of the subject.あります or います based on its animacy.- For animate entities—people, animals, insects, and even fictional beings perceived to have will or the capacity for independent action—you use
います(imasu). This includes family members, pets, classmates, and characters from stories. The crucial factor is their ability to move, think, or make decisions on their own.
- 猫が部屋にいます。 (
Neko ga heya ni imasu.: There is a cat in the room.) - 先生が学校にいます。 (
Sensei ga gakkō ni imasu.: The teacher is at school.) - 子どもが公園にいます。 (
Kodomo ga kōen ni imasu.: There are children in the park.)
- For inanimate entities—objects, plants, abstract concepts, events, and locations—you use
あります(arimasu). This encompasses everything from books and cars to meetings and ideas. The key here is the absence of self-propelled movement or intrinsic will.
- 本が机の上にあります。 (
Hon ga tsukue no ue ni arimasu.: There is a book on the desk.) - 駅の前にコンビニがあります。 (
Eki no mae ni konbini ga arimasu.: There is a convenience store in front of the station.) - 明日、テストがあります。 (
Ashita, tesuto ga arimasu.: There is a test tomorrow.)
あります and います again depends on the item being possessed.- If you "have" an animate item (e.g., a pet, a younger sibling), you use
います.
- 私には犬がいます。 (
Watashi ni wa inu ga imasu.: I have a dog. / For me, a dog exists.) - 僕には弟がいます。 (
Boku ni wa otōto ga imasu.: I have a younger brother.)
- If you "have" an inanimate item (e.g., a car, money, a pen), you use
あります.
- 私には車があります。 (
Watashi ni wa kuruma ga arimasu.: I have a car.) - お金があります。 (
Okane ga arimasu.: I have money.)
に or は (as 私には), and the possessed item with が.Formation Pattern
あります and います is remarkably consistent, making it easier to apply once you grasp the core concept. The particles play a vital role in indicating the subject and location.
が + あります/います
が (ga) is the subject particle, directly marking the item whose existence is being affirmed. It highlights the new information in the sentence.
Neko ga imasu.: A cat exists. / There is a cat.)
Jisho ga arimasu.: A dictionary exists. / There is a dictionary.)
に + Subject (Thing Existing) + が + あります/います
に (ni) is the location particle, indicating the static position or existence of something at a particular place. It answers the question "where?" in the context of existence.
Tsukue no shita ni inu ga imasu.: There is a dog under the desk.)
Reizōko ni gyūnyū ga arimasu.: There is milk in the refrigerator.)
Tōkyōeki ni Yamada-san ga imasu.: Mr. Yamada is at Tokyo Station.)
か to the end of the polite verb form.
が + ありますか/いますか？
に + Subject + が + ありますか/いますか？
Inu ga imasu ka?: Is there a dog?)
Hon ga arimasu ka?: Is there a book?)
Kōen ni dareka imasu ka?: Is anyone in the park?)
Conjugation Table
| Form | あります (Inanimate) |
います (Animate) |
Explanation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :-------------------- | :--------------------- | :----------------- | :------------------------------------------------- | ||
| Polite Present Affirmative | あります (arimasu) |
います (imasu) |
"There is/are" (polite) | ||
| Polite Present Negative | ありません (arimasen) |
いません (imasen) |
"There is/are not" (polite) | ||
| Casual Present Affirmative | ある (aru) |
いる (iru) |
"There is/are" (casual/plain) | ||
| Casual Present Negative | ない (nai) |
いない (inai) |
"There is/are not" (casual/plain) | ||
| Polite Past Affirmative | ありました (arimashita) |
いました (imashita) |
"There was/were" (polite) | ||
| Polite Past Negative | ありませんでした (arimasen deshita) |
いませんでした (imasen deshita) |
"There was/were not" (polite) | ||
| Casual Past Affirmative | あった (atta) |
いた (ita) |
"There was/were" (casual/plain) | ||
| Casual Past Negative | なかった (nakatta) |
いなかった (inakatta) |
"There was/were not" (casual/plain) | ||
| ~te form | あって (atte) |
いて (ite) |
Connects clauses, indicates reason, means | ||
| Volitional (Let's) | あろう (arō) |
いよう (iyō) |
"Let there be" (less common for existence) | ||
| Potential | ありません (arimasen) |
いられます (iraremasu) |
"Can be found" (rarely used, often replaced by あります for inanimate objects) |
When To Use It
あります and います makes them indispensable in daily Japanese communication. You will encounter and use these verbs in a wide array of situations, from basic descriptions to more complex expressions of timing and availability.- 冷蔵庫に卵がありますか？ (
Reizōko ni tamago ga arimasu ka?: Are there eggs in the refrigerator?) - 家の中に誰かいます。 (
Ie no naka ni dareka imasu.: Someone is inside the house.)
あります and います substitute for "to have" in English. This is a vital structure to master early on.- 私は猫が二匹います。 (
Watashi wa neko ga nihiki imasu.: I have two cats.) - 時間がありますか？ (
Jikan ga arimasu ka?: Do you have time?)
あります is exclusively used. This is because events, while occurring over time, are treated grammatically as inanimate occurrences.- 来週、会議があります。 (
Raishū, kaigi ga arimasu.: There's a meeting next week.) - 今日は雨が降る予報があります。 (
Kyō wa ame ga furu yohō ga arimasu.: There's a rain forecast for today.)
あります. They are concepts, not physical, self-moving beings.- 問題があります。 (
Mondai ga arimasu.: There's a problem.) - 彼には夢があります。 (
Kare ni wa yume ga arimasu.: He has a dream.)
あります is your go-to verb.- 開いていますか？ (
Aite imasu ka?: Is it open? - Often referring to a shop, literally "Is it in an open state?") - 空いている席がありますか？ (
Aite iru seki ga arimasu ka?: Are there any empty seats available?)
When Not To Use It
あります and います are broadly applicable for existence, there are specific situations where their use would be grammatically incorrect or unnatural. Understanding these boundaries helps prevent common learner errors.あります or います when stating what something is. For identity, classification, or description (A is B), the Japanese copula です (desu) is required. This is a foundational distinction.- Incorrect: これはペンがあります。 (Literally: This, a pen exists.)
- Correct: これはペンです。 (
Kore wa pen desu.: This is a pen.)
- Incorrect: 私は学生がいます。 (Literally: I, a student exists.)
- Correct: 私は学生です。 (
Watashi wa gakusei desu.: I am a student.)
です states what something is, while あります/います states that something exists or is located.あります/います for simple description.- Incorrect: この花は美しいがあります。 (This flower, beautiful exists.)
- Correct: この花は美しいです。 (
Kono hana wa utsukushii desu.: This flower is beautiful.)
あります can be used in some idiomatic expressions with adjectives, especially when referring to an existing state or condition (e.g., 元気|げんきがあります: has energy/is energetic), but these are exceptions rather than the rule for basic adjective usage.で is used with the action verb, not に with あります/います.- Incorrect: カフェに本を読みます。 (Reads a book at the cafe, with
niimplying existence, not action.) - Correct: カフェで本を読みます。 (
Kafe de hon o yomimasu.: Reads a book in/at the cafe.)
に marks the static location where something exists. で marks the location where an action takes place.Common Mistakes
あります and います. These pitfalls often stem from direct translation from English or an incomplete understanding of Japanese animacy.あります). This is because they lack self-initiated movement or conscious will in the way animals and humans do. They are rooted and passive.- Incorrect: 庭に木がいます。 (Sounds like the tree is walking or has a personality.)
- Correct: 庭に木があります。 (
Niwa ni ki ga arimasu.: There is a tree in the garden.)
います (魚|さかながいます). However, a fish on your plate, prepared as food, is an inanimate object あります (魚|さかながあります). This shift reflects its change from an active being to an item or commodity.水槽|すいそうに{魚|さかながいます. (A fish is in the tank - alive.)冷蔵庫|れいぞうこに{魚|さかながあります. (There is fish in the fridge - food item.)
あります). However, if a robot or AI is highly sophisticated, exhibits lifelike behaviors, or has a strong perceived personality (like a companion robot or virtual assistant), native speakers might colloquially use います to express a sense of agency or attachment. This is a fascinating cultural insight into how language adapts to technology.- Most common for a simple robot:
ロボットがあります. - For an AI pet with personality:
ロボット犬|けんにいます(if treated like a real pet).
あります for all machines unless specifically advised otherwise in a very particular context. When in doubt, err on the side of あります for manufactured items.です for Location: A common error is to inappropriately combine にあります/にいます with です (desu). These are typically mutually exclusive for simple existence. You state where something is, or what something is, but not usually both directly in a single clause using these structures.- Incorrect: 本は机の上にありますです。 (Redundant and ungrammatical.)
- Correct: 本は机の上にあります。
- Correct: これは本です。
あります. A person, a dog, a bird — they all exhibit independent movement, hence います.Memory Trick
To consistently differentiate between あります and います, focus on the concept of agency and independent will rather than just "alive" or "dead."
- Think: "Does it willfully move or act on its own?"
- If YES (people, animals, even imaginary beings that act independently): Use います (iru casual form). Think of います as "In います it's Independent."
- If NO (objects, plants, events, abstract ideas, things that require external force to move or act): Use あります (aru casual form). Think of あります as "All あります else is Abject/Abstract."
Another simple visualization: Imagine a tiny, invisible string attached to the entity. If you, as a human, would have to pull that string for it to move or change state, then it likely takes あります. If it could pull its own string, then います.
For plants, remember: they grow, but they don't walk around or decide to grow in a certain direction with conscious will. They are acted upon by nature. Hence, あります.
Real Conversations
あります and います are fundamental to daily Japanese. Here's how you might hear and use them in natural, modern contexts.
Scenario 1
A
Heya ni nani ka arimasu ka?: Is there anything in the room?)B
Ee, tsukue to isu ga arimasu. Sorekara, inu ga imasu yo.: Yes, there's a desk and a chair. And also, there's a dog!)Scenario 2
A
Satō-san, ima doko ni imasu ka?: Sato-san, where are you now?)B
Eki no mae no kafe ni imasu.: I'm at the cafe in front of the station.)Scenario 3
A
Sumimasen, atarashii obentō, arimasu ka?: Excuse me, do you have any new bentos?)B
Hai, asoko ni ikutsu ka arimasu yo.: Yes, there are a few over there.)Scenario 4
A
Keitai, motteru?: Do you have your phone? - casual form of 持っていますか)B
Un, kaban no naka ni aru yo.: Yeah, it's in my bag. - casual ある)Note:* In casual speech, 持っている (motte iru) is often used for physically carrying items, but あります still applies for possession in general.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
あります/います are often confused with です (desu) and the particle で.あります/います vs. です (desu)あります / います | です (desu) |が | は (typically) |これは辞書です。(Kore wa jisho desu.: This is a dictionary.) - states identity.ここに辞書があります。(Koko ni jisho ga arimasu.: A dictionary exists here.) - states existence.
に with あります/います vs. で with Action Verbsに marks a static point of existence, while で marks the location where an action takes place.に + あります/います | で + Action Verb |あります/います) | Action verbs (e.g., 食|たべます, 読|よみます) |学校に生徒がいます。(Gakkō ni seito ga imasu.: Students are at school.) - static location of students.学校で勉強します。(Gakkō de benkyō shimasu.: Studies at school.) - location of the action of studying.
Progressive Practice
Mastering あります and います is a foundational step in Japanese, and your practice should evolve as your understanding deepens. Start with simple applications and gradually introduce more complexity.
Phase 1: Basic Identification (A1)
- Task: Create simple sentences using あります or います to describe objects and people in your immediate environment. Focus solely on correctly identifying animate vs. inanimate.
- Example: Describe your room: "机があります. 本があります." (If you have a pet: "猫がいます.")
- Focus: Perfecting the Noun が Verb pattern and the Location に Noun が Verb pattern.
Phase 2: Incorporating Possession & Events (A1-A2)
- Task: Practice expressing what you possess (or don't possess) and talk about upcoming events. This reinforces the expanded uses of the verbs.
- Example: "私にはペンがあります. 時間がありません. 明日、仕事があります." (I have a pen. I don't have time. There's work tomorrow.)
- Focus: Correctly applying は or に to mark the possessor, and using あります for events.
Phase 3: Differentiating from です (A2)
- Task: Construct sentences where you must consciously choose between です and あります/います. Explain why you chose one over the other.
- Example: "これは本です。ここに本があります。" (This is a book. A book exists here.)
- Focus: Solidifying the conceptual difference between identity (です) and existence (あります/います).
Phase 4: Nuance and Common Mistakes (A2-B1)
- Task: Actively seek out examples of plants, prepared food, and edge cases (like simple robots) and apply the あります/います rule, consciously recalling the
Verb Conjugation Table
| Form | Inanimate (Arimasu) | Animate (Imasu) |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
あります
|
います
|
|
Negative
|
ありません
|
いません
|
|
Past
|
ありました
|
いました
|
|
Past Negative
|
ありませんでした
|
いませんでした
|
|
Te-form
|
あって
|
いて
|
|
Volitional
|
ありましょう
|
いましょう
|
Meanings
These verbs express the existence or location of an object or living being.
Existence
To state that something exists in a location.
“{公園|こうえん}に{子供|こども}が{います|います}。”
“{部屋|へや}に{椅子|いす}が{あります|あります}。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Location + に + Subject + が + Verb
|
{机|つくえ}に{本|ほん}が{あります|あります}
|
|
Negative
|
Location + に + Subject + が + Verb(neg)
|
{机|つくえ}に{本|ほん}が{ありません|ありません}
|
|
Question
|
Location + に + Subject + が + Verb + か
|
{机|つくえ}に{本|ほん}が{あります|あります}か？
|
|
Past
|
Location + に + Subject + が + Verb(past)
|
{机|つくえ}に{本|ほん}が{ありました|ありました}
|
|
Animate
|
Location + に + Subject + が + います
|
{公園|こうえん}に{犬|いぬ}が{います|います}
|
Formality Spectrum
{猫|ねこ}が{います|います}。 (Seeing a cat)
{猫|ねこ}が{います|います}。 (Seeing a cat)
{猫|ねこ}がいるよ。 (Seeing a cat)
{猫|ねこ}いる！ (Seeing a cat)
Existence Verb Map
Arimasu
- 本 Book
- 車 Car
Imasu
- 猫 Cat
- 先生 Teacher
Examples by Level
{机|つくえ}に{ペン|ぺん}が{あります|あります}。
There is a pen on the desk.
{公園|こうえん}に{犬|いぬ}が{います|います}。
There is a dog in the park.
{部屋|へや}に{誰|だれ}が{います|います}か？
Who is in the room?
{本|ほん}が{ありません|ありません}。
There is no book.
{冷蔵庫|れいぞうこ}に{何|なに}が{あります|あります}か？
What is in the fridge?
{庭|にわ}に{猫|ねこ}がいません。
There is no cat in the garden.
{駅|えき}の{前|まえ}に{人|ひと}が{います|います}。
There are people in front of the station.
{机|つくえ}の{下|した}に{鞄|かばん}が{あります|あります}。
There is a bag under the desk.
{会議室|かいぎしつ}に{部長|ぶちょう}が{います|います}。
The manager is in the meeting room.
{店|みせ}に{新しい|あたらしい}商品|しょうひん}が{あります|あります}。
There are new products in the store.
{森|もり}に{珍しい|めずらしい}鳥|とり}が{います|います}。
There are rare birds in the forest.
{心|こころ}に{余裕|よゆう}が{あります|あります}。
I have peace of mind (lit: there is room in my heart).
{街|まち}の{至る所|いたるところ}に{防犯|ぼうはん}カメラが{あります|あります}。
There are security cameras everywhere in the city.
{会場|かいじょう}には{多く|おおく}の{専門家|せんもんか}が{います|います}。
There are many experts at the venue.
{計画|けいかく}に{問題|もんだい}が{あります|あります}。
There is a problem with the plan.
{家族|かぞく}に{医者|いしゃ}が{います|います}。
There is a doctor in my family.
{歴史|れきし}の{中|なか}に{教訓|きょうくん}が{あります|あります}。
There are lessons in history.
{組織|そしき}に{不満|ふまん}を{抱く|いだく}{社員|しゃいん}が{います|います}。
There are employees who feel dissatisfied in the organization.
{解決|かいけつ}すべき{課題|かだい}が{あります|あります}。
There are issues that must be solved.
{現場|げんば}に{責任者|せきにんしゃ}が{います|います}。
The person in charge is on-site.
{言葉|ことば}の{背後|はいご}に{文化|ぶんか}が{あります|あります}。
There is culture behind language.
{社会|しゃかい}の{片隅|かたすみ}に{忘れ去られた|わすれさられた}人々|ひとびと}が{います|います}。
There are forgotten people in the corners of society.
{理論|りろん}と{実践|じっせん}の{間|あいだ}に{乖離|かいり}が{あります|あります}。
There is a gap between theory and practice.
{彼|かれ}の{中|なか}に{芸術家|げいじゅつか}が{います|います}。
There is an artist within him.
Easily Confused
Learners think 'I have a car' is 'Watashi wa kuruma ga arimasu'.
Learners use 'arimasu' for events like parties.
Polite vs. Plain form confusion.
Common Mistakes
{猫|ねこ}が{あります|あります}。
{猫|ねこ}が{います|います}。
{本|ほん}が{います|います}。
{本|ほん}が{あります|あります}。
{机|つくえ}は{本|ほん}が{あります|あります}。
{机|つくえ}に{本|ほん}が{あります|あります}。
{本|ほん}を{あります|あります}。
{本|ほん}が{あります|あります}。
{公園|こうえん}に{犬|いぬ}が{ありません|ありません}。
{公園|こうえん}に{犬|いぬ}が{いません|いません}。
{誰|だれ}が{あります|あります}か？
{誰|だれ}が{います|います}か？
{木|き}が{います|います}。
{木|き}が{あります|あります}。
{ロボット|ろぼっと}が{います|います}。
{ロボット|ろぼっと}が{あります|あります} (usually).
{会議|かいぎ}が{います|います}。
{会議|かいぎ}が{あります|あります}。
{死体|したい}が{います|います}。
{死体|したい}が{あります|あります}。
{幽霊|ゆうれい}が{あります|あります}。
{幽霊|ゆうれい}が{います|います}。
{人形|にんぎょう}が{います|います}。
{人形|にんぎょう}が{あります|あります} (usually).
{ウイルス|ういるす}が{います|います}。
{ウイルス|ういるす}が{あります|あります} (usually).
Sentence Patterns
___ に ___ が あります。
___ に ___ が います。
___ に ___ が ありません。
___ に ___ が いません。
Real World Usage
猫いる？
水がありますか？
経験があります。
近くに駅がありますか？
ここにカフェがあります！
在庫がありません。
The Animacy Test
Plants are tricky
Location Marker
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always start with the location.
Pause and think: 'Does it move?'
Use the question form with 'ka'.
Use 'imasu' for everyone.
Pronunciation
Arimasu
The 'u' at the end is often devoiced.
Imasu
The 'u' at the end is often devoiced.
Question
Sentence + か↑
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Arimasu sounds like 'a-rim-us' (a rim of a cup is inanimate). Imasu sounds like 'I'm us' (people!).
Visual Association
Imagine a robot (inanimate) holding an 'Arimasu' sign, and a human (animate) holding an 'Imasu' sign.
Rhyme
Things that stay, use Arimasu today. Things that play, use Imasu all the way.
Story
I walked into a room. I saw a table. 'Table, are you there?' I asked. It didn't move, so I said 'Arimasu'. Then I saw a cat. It jumped. I said 'Imasu'!
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room for 5 minutes. Say out loud: '[Object] が あります' for everything you see.
Cultural Notes
Japanese culture emphasizes the distinction between living and non-living things, reflecting a Shinto-influenced worldview where even inanimate objects have a 'spirit'.
In business, you must use polite forms ({あります|あります}/{います|います}) when talking to superiors.
Among friends, you can drop the 'ga' and just say 'Neko iru!'
Arimasu comes from 'ari' (exist) + 'masu' (polite). Imasu comes from 'i' (sit/exist) + 'masu'.
Conversation Starters
{部屋|へや}に{何|なに}が{あります|あります}か？
{今|いま}、{どこ|どこ}に{誰|だれ}が{います|います}か？
{冷蔵庫|れいぞうこ}に{飲み物|のみもの}が{あります|あります}か？
{日本|にほん}の{家|いえ}に{畳|たたみ}が{あります|あります}か？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
机の上に本が ___ 。
公園に犬が ___ 。
Find and fix the mistake:
猫があります。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
There is a teacher in the room.
Answer starts with: 部屋に...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
冷蔵庫にビールが ___ 。
部屋 ___ 猫がいます。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises机の上に本が ___ 。
公園に犬が ___ 。
Find and fix the mistake:
猫があります。
に / あります / 机 / 本 / が
There is a teacher in the room.
Match: Book, Cat, Tree, Person
冷蔵庫にビールが ___ 。
部屋 ___ 猫がいます。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesExcuse me, where is the toilet? {すみません|Sumimasen}、{トイレ|toire}はどこに___か？
Saying 'I have a younger brother'.
{冷蔵庫|reizouko}に{卵|tamago}が{います|imasu}。
Match the item to Arimasu or Imasu
{部屋|heya} ___ {猫|neko}がいます。
{明日|ashita}、{試験|shiken}が{います|imasu}。
{彼|kare}、{彼女|kanojo} {ある|aru}？ (Does he have a girlfriend?)
There is no one in the room. {部屋|heya}には{誰|dare}も___。
Referring to a robot Pepper that greets customers.
{公園|kouen}で{トイレ|toire}があります。
I have a question. {質問|shitsumon}が___。
Pointing at a fish swimming in the river.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Japanese grammar classifies them as objects because they don't move on their own.
You can, but it changes the meaning to 'As for the book, it is on the desk.'
Robots are usually 'arimasu' unless they are very human-like.
No, it's for all animals and insects too.
Say 'Kuruma ga arimasu'.
Some religious figures or personified objects might take 'imasu'.
You can just say 'Neko ga imasu' (There is a cat).
Yes, 'arimashita'.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Hay / Estar
Japanese requires a verb choice based on life.
Il y a
No animacy distinction in French.
Es gibt
German doesn't distinguish animate/inanimate.
You / Zai
Japanese is more specific about the verb.
Yujad
No animacy distinction.
There is/are
Japanese forces you to categorize the subject.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Polite Present & Future: The ます (masu) Form
The ます (masu) form is the polite present/future tense of Japanese verbs and is the first verb form most learners encou...
Polite Past Tense: ました (mashita) — "I did..."
To express past tense politely in Japanese ("I did...", "I ate...", "I went..."), replace ます with ました. Like the neg...
Polite Negative: ません (masen) — "I don't..."
To make a polite negative sentence in Japanese ("I don't...", "I won't..."), simply replace ます with ません. This is on...
Polite Past Negative: ませんでした (masen deshita) — "I didn't..."
The polite past negative ("I didn't...") is formed by replacing ます with ませんでした. This completes the four basic po...
