- Jul 5, 2012
- 78,811
- 3,875
that still leaves a question about when one should use imasu or arimasu
Well, aru and iru (Note: These are the raw version of arimasu and imasu) will in possessive situations used. Actually, the usage of them is easy: Aru will at lifeless obejects (car, phone, paper etc.) used; and iru at lively objects (humans, animals).
Aru version: I've a new phone/Watashi wa atarashii keitai ga aru yo - or - There is a stone/Acchi ni seki ga aru yo.
Iru version: I've two dogs./Watashi wa ni-hiki no inu ga iru. - or - I'm here/Watashi ga koko ni iru yo.
BTW, these are the conjugations for the verbs (aru/iru) after time and negation:
Atta/Itta=Past
Aru/Iru=Current
Ari/Nari=Future
Negation form:
Nakatta/Inakatta=Past
Nai/Inai=Current
Naranai/inai=Future