Translation and Meaning of: 居る - iru

If you are learning Japanese, you have certainly come across the verb 居る (いる), which means "to be" or "to exist" when it comes to living beings. But why is this word so different from other forms of existence in the language? In this article, we will explore its etymology, everyday usage in Japanese, and even tips for effectively memorizing this kanji. Here at Suki Nihongo, you will also find practical examples to include in your Anki and boost your studies.

Many people search on Google not only for the meaning of 居る, but also its origin and how to differentiate it from other verbs of existence. Is there a trick to never confuse when to use it again? And why does its pictogram relate to "staying still"? Let's uncover all of this and also bring curiosities that go beyond textbooks.

Etymology and Origin of 居る

The kanji 居 has an interesting history. It is composed of the radical 尸 (corpse), which actually represents a seated person, and 古 (ancient), suggesting the idea of permanence. Have you ever thought how curious it is that a character that refers to "standing still" is used to indicate existence? This is because, in ancient Japan, the presence of someone was associated with being in a specific place, not necessarily in motion.

In archaic Japanese, 居る (iru) was used more broadly, but over time it specialized for living beings that move – people, animals, and even insects. Meanwhile, ある (aru) became reserved for inanimate objects, while いる carries that nuance of life, of something that breathes. It is no wonder that in manga and anime you will hear characters asking 「誰か居る？」 (Dareka iru?) – "Is anyone there?" – with an almost palpable tone of expectation.

Everyday Uses and Memorization Tips

In practice, 居る appears in everyday situations ranging from casual conversations to formal notices. If you've ever seen a sign saying "ネコが居ます" (Neko ga imasu) in a store, you know that there is a cat that might appear at any moment. This unpredictability is one of the characteristics of the verb – unlike a chair, which will always be in the same place (ある), an animal can run away!

To avoid forgetting when to use いる, an infallible technique is to associate the kanji 居 with a mental image. Notice that the top part looks like a roof, and the bottom resembles someone squatting – visualize a person or an animal under a ceiling, waiting. Another tip is to create funny phrases: "If いる, it's an animal that will escape!". It may seem silly, but it works in a pinch.

Curiosities and Popular Searches

One of the most searched questions about 居る is why it sometimes appears in hiragana (いる) and other times in kanji. The truth? Although the kanji is correct, in modern Japanese it is common to see it written in kana, especially in informal texts. But be careful: in documents or signs, the Chinese character still dominates, conveying a more serious tone. And there's more – in some regional dialects like those of Kansai, the pronunciation changes to "おる (oru)", but the essence remains the same.

Another little-known fact is that 居る does not only appear in affirmative sentences. In the negative form (いない), it gains dramatic weight in stories. When a detective in a drama says "犯人はもうここに居ない" (The criminal is no longer here), the absence feels almost tangible. This ability to express both presence and absence is what makes this verb so rich – and so essential for anyone who wants to truly master Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 存在する (sonzai suru) - To exist, to be (used for things and abstract entities)
• いる (iru) - To be, to exist (used for living beings, such as people and animals)
• 在る (aru) - Be, exist (used for inanimate objects and situations)

居る

Romaji: iru
Kana: いる
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: be (excited); exist

Meaning in English: to be (animate);to exist

Definition: to exist. To exist with life.

Example Sentences - (居る) iru

See below some example sentences:

私はここに居る。

Watashi wa koko ni iru

I am here.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• ここ - Japanese noun that means "here"
• に - particle of place that indicates location, in this case "here"
• 居る - Japanese verb that means "to be present", conjugated in dictionary form

家は私たちの居場所です。

Ie wa watashitachi no ibasho desu

Home is our place.

Home is our place.

• 家 (ie) - means "house" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - means "we" in Japanese
• の (no) - possessive particle in Japanese
• 居場所 (ibasho) - It means "a place where you feel at home" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - polite way to be/act in Japanese