いる
To Exist (Animate)
Use いる to say 'there is' or 'to be' for living things that move on their own (humans, animals).
How It Works
いる is a fundamental Ichidan (ru-verb) used to state that a living being exists in a certain place or to express possession of animate beings.
1. Usage with Particles
The entity that exists is marked with the subject marker が, and the location where they are is marked with the location marker に.
Example: 庭（にわ）に犬（いぬ）がいる。(There is a dog in the garden.)
2. Possession
Unlike English which uses 'have', Japanese uses いる to express having family, friends, or pets.
Example: 弟（おとうと）がいます。(I have a younger brother.)
3. What counts as 'Animate'?
Japanese focuses on 'volition' (the ability to move or act on one's own).
- Humans/Animals: Always use いる.
- Ghosts/Spirits: Since they are perceived to have intent, they use いる.
- Plants: Even though they are biologically alive, they don't move on their own, so they use ある.
- Dead Bodies: Once volition is lost, a corpse is usually referred to with ある.
4. Conjugation & Homophone Warning
いる is an Ichidan verb, so it follows simple rules:
Note: Do not confuse this with the verb 要る（いる - to need）, which is a Godan verb. While they sound the same, 'to need' conjugates to 要ります（いります） and 要らない（いらない）.
Examples (5)
- あそこに猫がいる。
There is a cat over there.
Word by Word: Over there (at) cat (subject) exists.
A simple sentence using the dictionary form of いる to state the presence of an animal.
- 教室に学生が五人います。
There are five students in the classroom.
Word by Word: Classroom in students (subject) 5-people exist (polite).
This uses the polite form います and includes a counter for people.
- 今日は家に母がいません。
My mother is not at home today.
Word by Word: Today (topic) house at mother (subject) exists-not (polite).
The polite negative form いません is used to show someone is not present.
- 私には兄が二人います。
I have two older brothers.
Word by Word: Me (to) older-brothers (subject) two-people exist (polite).
いる is used to express 'having' animate beings like family members, friends, or pets.
- 公園に誰かいますか？
Is there someone in the park?
Word by Word: Park in someone exists (polite) [question]?
Using 誰か（だれか - someone） with the question particle か to ask about existence.
Common Mistakes
Using いる for plants because they are 'living things'.
庭に花がいる。庭に花がある。In Japanese, plants are treated as inanimate because they lack independent movement. Use ある for flowers, trees, and grass.
Using the copula です to mean 'to be located at'.
私はここにです。私はここにいます。です is used to equate two things (A is B). To say 'I am here' (existence in a location), you must use います.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use the existence verb いる (to exist for animate objects), you need to understand how to mark the subject with が and the location with に. Basic knowledge of Japanese verb concepts is also required.
- がSubject Marker
The particle が is used to mark the subject that exists when using the verb いる.
Level 1 - にTarget/location Marker
The particle に is used to indicate the location where the animate object exists.
Level 1 - Verb concepts
Understanding that いる is a verb and how verbs function in a sentence is necessary before learning specific existence verbs.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- あるTo Exist (Inanimate)
The inanimate counterpart to いる, used for objects and plants.
Level 1 - がある・がいるThere Is
The full sentence pattern used to express 'there is' or 'to have'.
Level 1 - おるTo Be (Humble)
The humble version of いる used when speaking about oneself or one's own group in formal situations.
Level 3 - いらっしゃるTo Be/go/come (Hon.)
The honorific version of いる used to show high respect to the person you are talking about.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice いる in Bubblegum
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