Translation and Meaning of: 有る - aru

If you have ever studied Japanese, you have probably encountered the verb 有る [ある] – the one that seems simple but contains nuances that confuse even advanced students. In this article, we will explore everything from its etymology to practical memorization tips, including its pictogram and everyday uses. Here at Suki Nihongo, you will also find ready-made sentences to include in Anki and speed up your learning. Shall we uncover together why this little word is so essential?

Origin and etymology of 有る

The kanji 有 in 有る carries an interesting history. It combines the radical 月 (moon) with 又 (hand), suggesting the idea of "possessing" something tangible, like holding the moon in the palm of your hand. In ancient China, this ideogram already represented concrete existence, and the Japanese adapted its meaning to include both physical objects and abstract situations.

Curiously, the reading ある is one of the few that has survived from ancient Japanese with little phonetic alteration. While other verbs have undergone radical changes over the centuries, 有る has maintained its pronunciation almost intact – a testament to its importance in the structure of the language.

When to use 有る in practice

Unlike the verb いる (for animated beings), ある is its counterpart for inanimate things. But pay attention: it goes beyond the simple "to have" or "to exist." When a Japanese person says 時間がある (jikan ga aru), they are not just stating that they have free time – they are opening up space for an invitation, almost like an implied "I am available."

Another usage that surprises many students is in the negative form. ない (nai), which comes from 有らない, even permeates advanced grammar, appearing as an auxiliary in conjugations like 食べない (not eat). Did you know that this small detail connects 有る directly to structures you use daily without realizing it?

Pictogram and tricks to memorize

Look closely at the kanji 有: the top part looks like a roof, while the bottom part refers to a shelf. Imagine "having" something stored under your roof – this mental image helps to fix both the meaning and the writing. A teacher in Kyoto taught me this trick years ago, and since then I've never confused it with 在る (another verb of existence).

To practice, how about creating flashcards with opposite situations? Write down sentences like 猫がいる (neko ga iru) for the living cat and 本がある (hon ga aru) for the inanimate book. This visual contrast speeds up learning more than memorizing rules. And when you hear someone say 問題がある (mondai ga aru), you already know – get ready, because "there is a problem"!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

在る (Aru) - To be, to exist (used for inanimate things)
存在する (Sonzai suru) - Exist, to be present (general, used for the concept of existence)
備わる (Sonawaru) - Be equipped, have characteristics (used to describe attributes or capabilities)
備える (Sonaeru) - Equip, prepare (refers to the act of preparing or equipping something)
存在します (Sonzai shimasu) - To exist, to be present (polite form of 'to exist')
存在しています (Sonzai shiteimasu) - Being there, being present (continuous form, emphasizing the condition of being present)