Meaning
States where an object or living being is located.
Formation
- The thing becomes the topic: N + は + place + に + ある / いる
- Places are specified with 上・下・中・前・後ろ + に: 机の上にあります
When to use it
- Core use
- States where an object or living being is located
Examples
13 sentences-
本は机の上にあります
The book is on the desk.
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田中さんは教室にいます
Mr. Tanaka is in the classroom.
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銀行は駅の前にあります
The bank is in front of the station.
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辞書は図書館にあります
The dictionary is at the library.
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猫は庭にいます
The cat is in the garden.
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大きな木は公園にあります
The big tree is at the park.
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父は会社にいます
My father is at work.
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受付は一階にあります
The reception desk is on the ground floor.
5 more examples
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有名な絵は美術館にあります
The famous painting is at the art museum.
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母は台所にいます
My mother is in the kitchen.
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時計はテレビの上にあります
The clock is on top of the TV.
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新しい教室は二階にあります
The new classroom is on the second floor.
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犬は車の中にいます
The dog is in the car.
Important notes
- Word order follows what the listener knows: 机の上に鍵があります introduces the key as new; 鍵は机の上にあります tells where the known key is.
Common mistakes
- The location of things and people (ある／いる) takes に: 図書館にいます. An activity takes で: 図書館で勉強します. The place of an event also takes で: 学校で祭りがあります.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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