How to Say ‘Have; there is (polite)’ in Japanese
あります
ari masu
[ah-ree mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [あります] is polite and safe for interviews. For abilities, a natural pattern is [〜はあります] (“I do have ~”).
🇯🇵 In Japan: Modest confidence is valued: saying [あります] can sound calmer than overly strong claims.
Phrase Breakdown
あり
ari
[ah-ree]
to exist; to have (polite)
Polite form used for inanimate things/attributes (stamina, time, experience). In interviews: 体力はあります = “I have stamina.”
体力があり、長い時間立てます。
I have stamina and can stand for a long time.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending (makes speech formal)
Attached to verb stems to make polite present/future form (e.g., あります, 歩きます). Common in interviews.
体力はありますとお答えします。
I answer, “Yes, I have stamina.”
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