がいます
There is; to be (living things)
がいます states that a person or animal exists.
In plain language
います says that a living person or animal is somewhere. The person or animal is marked with が.
When to use it
Use it for a dog in the park, a teacher in the classroom, or cats at home. Use あります for non-living things.
How to build it
Say the place with に, then the living thing with が, and finish with います: 公園に犬がいます。 (“There is a dog in the park.”)
A basic pattern
Place + に + living being + がいます
Examples in context
The grammar point is shown in blue in each sentence.
公園に犬がいます。こうえんにいぬがいます。There is a dog in the park.
教室に先生がいます。きょうしつにせんせいがいます。The teacher is in the classroom.
家に猫が二匹います。いえにねこがにひきいます。There are two cats at home.
Watch for this
教室に先生があります。 → 教室に先生がいます。
Use います for a person.
Quick practice: がいます
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