There is, and how many
Use existence verbs and learn complete number–counter combinations.
ある, politely あります, expresses the existence of things in the basic pattern. いる, politely います, is used for people and animals. With a known topic, reverse the information structure: 本は机の上にあります.
Numbers combine with counters appropriate to what is counted. General 一つ・二つ are ひとつ・ふたつ. People 一人・二人 are ひとり・ふたり; books use 冊. Readings can change, so store number–counter words explicitly.
Examples
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- こうえんkouenpark
- にnilocation of existence
- ふたりfutaritwo peopleThis number–counter combination has the special reading ふたり.
- います。imasuthere are (people or animals; polite)
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- つくえtsukuedesk
- のうえにnouenion / on top ofの links 机 to 上 (“top”); に marks the location of existence.
- ほんhonbooks
- がgasubject markerMarks the subject in this pattern; it has no separate English word here.
- にさつnisatsutwo (counter for books)
- あります。arimasuthere are (things; polite)
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- パンpanbread / bread rolls
- をoobject markerUsually pronounced o. Marks what the action affects; English often expresses this through word order.
- みっつmittsuthree (general count)
- かいます。kaimasuwill buy (polite)
“I” is understood from context here; there is no written Japanese word for it in this sentence.
Keep in mind
Do not turn every number into a bare noun modifier; counters and their irregular readings matter.