How to Say ‘Have / there is’ in Japanese
がいます
ga i masu
[gah ee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [います] is used for people and animals being present or existing. With family, it often means "I have."
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese often says "a younger sister exists" instead of "I have a younger sister." Different structure, same idea!
Phrase Breakdown
が
ga
[gah]
subject marker
が marks the subject, especially when introducing someone who exists.
妹がいます。
I have a younger sister.
い
i
[ee]
exist; be
Part of います, used for people and animals.
いぬがいます。
There is a dog.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
Polite ending that completes います.
妹がいます。
I have a younger sister.
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