Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 8: 15/22

ものがあるStrong judgement, There is something, Feel strongly that

Structure

Verb + ものがある
［い］Adjective + ものがある
［な］Adjective + な +ものがある

Details

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    Formal

  • Rare Kanji

    物

About ものがある

ものがある is an interesting grammar structure in Japanese that is used to declare that something has a particular trait of (A), according to the speaker's subjective opinion. Often, ものがある is translated as 'I feel strongly that (A)', or 'there is something (A) about (B)'. The latter meaning is very close to the literal translation here, as もの 'thing', がある 'there is' implies that the speaker strongly senses the presence of (A) within (B), even if they themselves cannot figure out why they feel that way.

ものがある is primarily seen following verbs in either their dictionary or negated forms, い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives followed by な.

As ものがある emphasizes the existence of (A) within (B), it is very common for the emphasized には to also be used in place of に when highlighting the topic.

Caution

Although 'I feel strongly that (A)' is a common interpretation of ものがある, it is important to remember that the actual thing that is generating that feeling within the speaker may either be very strong, or very weak. In other words, ものがある may be used even when something isn't obvious about (A), so long as the speaker themselves feel strongly about it.

Fun-fact

目(め)を見張(みは)るものがある is a set phrase that is a combination of 目(め)を見張(みは)る 'to be astonished', and ものがある. In most cases, this expression just means that (B) is extremely surprising or impressive.

  • 彼(かれ)の運動(うんどう)神経(しんけい)の良(よ)さは目(め)を見張(みは)るものがある。
    His athleticism is remarkable.

Examples

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    モナリザには、神秘的(しんぴてき)なものがあるよ。

    I feel strongly that that (the) Mona Lisa is mysterious.

    文房具(ぶんぼうぐ)には魅力(みりょく)的(てき)なものがある。

    I feel strongly that stationery is fascinating.

    この絵(え)って、うまく説明(せつめい)できないけどすばらしいものがあるよ。

    I can't explain well, but this painting gives me a strong feeling of amazement.

    彼(かれ)の遺(のこ)した言葉(ことば)には考(かんが)えさせられるものがあった。

    I felt strongly that his last words were inspiring.

    売店(ばいてん)には全然(ぜんぜん)売(う)れないものがある。

    For a shop, I feel strongly that it doesn't sell well at all.

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ものがある – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

  • Eroliene

    Eroliene

    Kind of a nit-pick, but wouldn’t it be much more appropriate to say that this grammar point emphasizes “the existence of (B) within (A)”?

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