〜は〜にいます~ wa ~ ni imasu
Wa ni imasu (〜は〜にいます) means “where a person or animal is”.
I am on the south side of the station now.
Use 〜は〜にいます to say where a person or animal is, including when they are sitting still.
In the course
How it works
Where is Mr. Tanaka? Find the classroom in the picture, then use this pattern to tell someone where he is.
Use 「います」 to say where a person or animal is. Mention the person or animal first, then the place.
Not all living things take 「います」. For the location of plants, we usually use 「あります」.
「は」 introduces the person or animal we are talking about. The rest of the sentence tells us where they are.
「に」 comes right after the place and marks where the person or animal is. Remember to include it.
「います」 means a person or animal is somewhere. You can use it even when they are sitting still.
In the example, 「駅の南側」 is one whole place expression. Link the words with 「の」, then add 「に」.
「今」 shows that this is your location right now. The sentence tells someone where you currently are so they can find you.
Example sentences
- 私watashiはwa今駅imaekiのno南側minamigawaにniいます。imasu
I am on the south side of the station now.
- 私watashiの
In a conversation
- A今どこにいますか。
A: Where are you now?
- B今、大きいビルの前にいます。
B: I am in front of a big building now.
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
I'm now on the south side of the station.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
私は今、大きいビルの 。
I'm in front of a tall building now.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜は〜にいますwhere a person or animal is
