Japanese word

いる

Pronunciation

Romajiiru

Meaning

  • verbbe

Example

猫がいます。neko ga i ma su

There is a cat.

Illustration for いる (be)

More examples

猫は庭にいます。neko wa niwa ni i ma su

The cat is in the yard.

週末は家にいます。shū matsu wa ie ni i ma su

I am at home on weekends.

Core concept

This verb presents something as present, either by existing in a place or by being necessary for a purpose.

Common phrases

  • ここにいるko ko ni i ru

    be here

  • 家にいるie ni i ru

    be at home

  • 一緒にいるis sho ni i ru

    be together

Similar words

あるaru: To be present in a place as a nonliving thing or idea.

Definition in Japanese

人や動物がある場所に存在する。また、物事などが必要である。hito ya dō butsu ga a ru ba sho ni son zai su ru ma ta mono goto na do ga hitsu yō de a ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb いる (iru) is written 居る (iru, "be present") in the existence sense and 要る (iru, "be needed") in the necessity sense; the two forms are homophones.

Usage tips

  • In beginner conversation, the plain form いる (iru) changes to polite います (imasu), while the basic meaning remains the same.

Other meanings

  • needverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word