Course 2, Session 3, Grammar Notes : X ga arimasu/ imasu

[Accura]

1. X ga arimasu/ imasu

X ga arimasu（X が あります）means "there is/are X (nonliving thing)." The particle 'ga' introduces, or presents, the item X. You can use "arimasu" when you want to say that there is something at a certain location.

あそこに マクドナルドが あります。

asoko ni makudonarudo ga arimasu.

There's a McDonald's over there.

Note that "arimasu" is different from other verbs we have seen so far on the following three counts.

1) It calls for the particle 'ni', rather than 'de', for the place description.

2) The place description usually comes at the beginning of the sentence.

3) The thing descriptioins usually followed by the particle 'ga', rather than 'wa'.

You can also use "arimasu" to say that you have or own something.

テレビが ありません。

terebi ga arimasen.

I don't have TV.

じかんが ありますか。

jikan ga arimasuka.

Do you have time?

We also use "arimasu" when we want to say that an event will take place.

かようびに テストが あります。

kayoubi ni tesuto ga arimasu.

There will be an exam on Tuesday.

あした にほんごの クラスが ありません。

ashita nihongo no kurasu ga arimasen.

There will be no Japanese class tomorrow.

When you want to present a person or some other sentient being, rather than a thing, you need to use the verb "imasu". Thus,

あそこに りゅうがくせいが います。

asoko ni ryuugakusei ga imasu.

There's an international student over there.