Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 4: 12/13

がある + (Noun)

Noun (B) that has Noun (A), Noun (B) with Noun (A)

Structure

Noun + がある (1) + Noun

(1) のある

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Expression

  • Word Type

    Noun

  • Register

    Standard

  • 品詞

    表現

  • 単語の種類

    名詞

  • 使用域

    一般

About がある + Noun

In this expression, がある has the role of describing the noun that follows it. The description that it is giving is '(A) がある (B)' = '(B) has/with (A)'. This type of phrase is called a relative clause (something that describes a noun), and behaves similarly to an adjective.
  • ピアノがあるレストラン。
    A restaurant with a piano.
  • コンビニがあるビル。
    A building that has a convenience store.
In English, a relative clause would require a pronoun such as 'who' 誰(だれ), 'which' どれ, 'that' それ・あれ, 'where' どこ. However, these types of words are not required in Japanese, and the noun will follow がある directly.
Caution
In a relative clause, because (A) is describing (B), (B) will be considered the 'main topic/subject'. This means that は cannot be used in place of が. However, の can be used instead of が, as showing a relationship between (A) and (B) is one of the main functions of の.
  • 漫画(まんが)はある本屋(ほんや)。
    A book store that has manga. (Unnatural, as it is impossible to tell whether manga is the only thing at one particular bookstore, or if manga is something that bookstores 'in general' have)
  • 綺麗(きれい)な川(かわ)のある山(やま)。
    A mountain with a beautiful river. (Natural in Japanese, but less common than が)

Examples

  • ベッドがある部屋(へや)。

    A room that has a bed.

  • たくさん休(やす)みがある５月(がつ)が好(す)き。

    I like the month of May with its many holidays.

  • 綺麗(きれい)な池(いけ)がある公園(こうえん)。

    A park with a beautiful pond.

  • 家(いえ)がある人(ひと)。

    People who have a house.

  • 冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)がある台所(だいどころ)。

    A kitchen with a refrigerator.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

がある + Noun – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (18 in total)

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 2 years ago

    @mweibel
    Hey

    This is not exactly about ある, but in DBJG, on page 376 you have an explanation of the relative clauses in Japanese, がある + Noun is a case of that.

    Cheers

    PS
    The monogatari series <3

  • smearedink

    smearedink

    About 2 years ago

  • CosmicGuest

    CosmicGuest

    About 7 months ago

    Why is があります incorrect? As in ベッドがあります部屋。

Got questions about がある + Noun? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion