居る
iruTo exist or be present in a place (for living things, including people, animals, and sometimes inanimate objects with life-like qualities)
友達が公園に居る
My friend is at the park.
この部屋に誰か居る？
Is anyone in this room?
Often used for people and animals, but can sometimes refer to inanimate objects with life-like qualities. The polite form is "います" (imasu).
To live or reside (in a place)
私は東京に居る
I live in Tokyo.
彼はこの町に長く居る
He has lived in this town for a long time.
When referring to living in a place, it's often used with the particle "に" (ni).
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Polite Form
The polite form of "居る" is "います" (imasu). Use this in formal situations or when speaking to someone you respect.
⚡Gold Rule
Living Things Only
Use "居る" for living things (people, animals) and sometimes for inanimate objects with life-like qualities. For inanimate objects, use "ある" (aru).
📖Word Origin
From Old Japanese "をる" (oru), meaning 'to be present' or 'to exist'. The modern form "居る" (iru) is derived from the classical verb "居" (i) with the auxiliary verb "る" (ru).
📝Usage Notes
The verb "居る" is used for living things (people, animals) and sometimes for inanimate objects with life-like qualities. For inanimate objects, "ある" (aru) is typically used. The polite form is "います" (imasu).