In Lesson 4 of GENKI I, you’ll learn how to describe where things and people are, which is essential for giving directions or simply describing your surroundings. You’ll also learn how to talk about your schedule.
“Exists” with 「あります」 and 「います」
Japanese uses two different verbs for “to exist” or “to be.” The one you choose depends on what you’re talking about.
- 「あります」 (arimasu): Use this for inanimate objects, plants, and events.
- 机が あります。(tsukue ga arimasu.)There is a desk.
- 木が あります。(ki ga arimasu.)There is a tree.
- 「います」 (imasu): Use this for animate beings like people and animals.
- メアリーさんが います。(Mary-san ga imasu.)Mary is here.
- 猫が います。(neko ga imasu.)There is a cat.
Describing Locations with 「〜にあります・います」
The particle 「に」 (ni) is your key to specifying a location. The basic structure is:
[Thing/Person] は [Place] に あります/います。
- 図書館は 大学の前に あります。 (toshokan wa daigaku no mae ni arimasu.)The library is in front of the university.
- 私の お母さんは 部屋に います。 (watashi no okaasan wa heya ni imasu.)My mother is in the room.
Position Words
To be more specific, you can use these common words that describe where something is in relation to something else.
| Japanese | English | Example |
| 上 (ue) | on, above | 机の上に本があります。(There is a book on the desk.) |
| 下 (shita) | under, below | 机の下に猫がいます。(There is a cat under the desk.) |
| 中 (naka) | inside | 箱の中にプレゼントがあります。(There is a present inside the box.) |
| 前 (mae) | in front of | 学校の前にバス停があります。(There is a bus stop in front of the school.) |
| 後ろ (ushiro) | behind | 学校の後ろに病院があります。(There is a hospital behind the school.) |
| 右 (migi) | right | 郵便局の右に銀行があります。(There is a bank to the right of the post office.) |
| 左 (hidari) | left | 郵便局の左にスーパーがあります。(There is a supermarket to the left of the post office.) |
| 隣 (tonari) | next to | 郵便局の隣に本屋があります。(There is a bookstore next to the post office.) |
| 間 (aida) | between | AとBの間にCがあります。(C is between A and B.) |
A Common Pitfall: The phrase 「〜の うえに」 can be tricky. Remember, it’s not “on the desk” but literally “the desk’s on.” You must place the 「の」 particle between the object and the position word.
- 机 (desk) の 上 (on)
- 箱 (box) の 中 (in)
Asking “Where is it?”: The Word 「どこ」
To ask about a location, you simply use the question word 「どこ」 (doko), which means “where.”
[Thing/Person] は どこ ですか。
- トイレは どこ ですか。 (toire wa doko desu ka?)Where is the restroom?
- メアリーさんは どこ ですか。 (Mary-san wa doko desu ka?)Where is Mary?
Talking About Plans and Events
The verb 「あります」 is not just for objects; you can also use it to talk about future events or plans you have.
- 今日、 パーティーが あります。 (kyou, pa-tii ga arimasu.)I have a party today.
- 週末、 試合が あります。 (shuumatsu, shiai ga arimasu.)I have a game this weekend.
You can also use the particle 「に」 with days of the week to be more specific about your schedule.
- 月曜日 (Monday) に 会議 (かいぎ – meeting) が あります。I have a meeting on Monday.
This lesson gives you the power to ask for directions, describe your environment, and share your plans. Keep practicing these phrases, and you’ll be navigating Japan in no time