How to Say ‘Be (state of being)’ in Japanese
います
i masu
[ee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [います] here helps make an ongoing state with the [て]-form, as in [つかれています] = "is tired / has become tired."
🇯🇵 In Japan: This pattern is everywhere in Japanese conversation. In health or massage settings, it’s useful for describing your current condition.
Phrase Breakdown
い
i
[ee]
be; exist
Part of います, used in continuous or current states.
いますのいは、やさしく発音します。
The i in imasu is pronounced softly.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A polite ending often heard in everyday formal speech.
いますのますで、丁寧な表現になります。
The masu in imasu makes it a polite expression.
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