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Learn how to use the common phrase ______ ga arimasu ka?

Hey guys, it’s that time again. Welcome to another incredible online Japanese lesson from Bondlingo. Today, we are going to be looking at an insanely useful phrase to add to your arsenal, “Do you have … / is there”. This is an extremely useful phrase and can be applied in a wide variety of situations.

Learn how to say “Is there a …(arimasu ka)” in Japanese

So how do we tackle this fundamental phrase? Firstly, we will start with a breakdown of each element of the phrase and look at each words meaning and usage.  Next, we will be then looking at where and how to use this phrase in Japanese. After that, we will look at examples and finally move onto an effective study exercise that will challenge you to use this practically.

Guys, are you ready? We are going to smash it! Let’s get right into today’s wonderful online Japanese lesson and learn how to use 。。。がありますか.

Let’s break down “ … ga arimasu ka?” in Japanese

So firstly, we are going to be looking at breaking down the sentence 。。。がありますか

Let’s look at each word in the structure and break them down.

“Ga” indicates the subject of the sentence

“arimasu” is the word for “to be; to exist” in Japanese

 “ka” is the question marker and signifies that the sentence is a question.

Now we know the elements of the sentence and understand how it is made up, we are now going to look at how and when to use this in Japanese.

How and when to use “ … ga arimasu ka” in Japanese

So to understand this concept let’s first look at a really simple sentence.

じかんがありますか
jikan ga arimasu ka
is there time?

This question form enquires as to whether something is existing. This is quite an abstract concept because in English we would say “do you have time” “is there time” Try get used to linking arimasu to the same meaning.

Let’s look at another examples:

ペンがありますか
Pen ga arimasu ka
Is there a pen?

Again here you are asking if a pen exists, or more naturally, “do you have a pen?”

Please note as well that あります is only used or inanimate objects and not for living things. To talk about living things you have to use います instead.

We will now take a look at some more example sentences. We know this concept is quite hard to grasp at the beginning but have faith, through many example sentences you will gain a deeper understanding.

Let’s make some sentences with “ … ga arimasu ka” in Japanese

Take a look at these sentences and make sure to repeat them over and over again until they form and unbreakable pattern in your memory. Be sure to read them at least 6 times in a row and then try translating the English back to Japanese, that will really help with the learning process.

ここにテレビがありますか
Koko ni terebi ga arimasu
Is there a television

お金がありますか
Okane ga arimasu ka
Do you have any money?

トイレがありますか
Toire ga arimasu ka
Do you have a toilet?

Do you see how this is used now? It’s a really easy pattern to get used to once you have grasped it. Think of it as either “is there” or “do you have”. When asking questions, it’s a really powerful phrase to remember. Now we are going to try a small vocab challenge to help you push yourself and remember the phrase even better.

It’s time to challenge yourself with … ga arimasu ka

Ok so what we want you to do is come up with 5 different sentences of your own. Imagine you are in Japan and you’ve just arrived at your hotel. We want you to ask them hotel staff “if they have” certain things. A pool? Gym? A map perhaps? Ask them what they have and write the sentences down. After this, try it again at the supermarket and ask if they have your favourite foods. This wat you will be able to easily remember the pattern practically from now on and use it in real life conversations.

Well guys, that’s it for todays awesome Japanese lesson. We really hope you have had a fantastic time today and have had fun learning a really practical little phrase. As always, if you have any questions for us at all or have any suggestions for future content you would like us to write about, please get in touch as we really want to hear your ideas.

So guys, have a fantastic day and we will see you in the next fantastic online Japanese article from BondLingo.

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