To indicate existence, Japanese uses two verbs: arimasu and imasu

arimasu - when referencing inanimate objects:

 

• noun ga arimasu ka - do you have / are there / is there noun?
• hai, noun ga arimasu - there is (are) noun
• iie, noun ga arimasen - no, there is (are) no noun(s) here

 

Examples

 

• kamera ga arimasu ka - do you have cameras?
• hai, kamera ga arimasu - we have cameras
• iie, kamera ga arimasen - no, we don't have cameras

 

• o-cha ga arimasu ka - do you have tea?
• hai, o-cha ga arimasu - yes, we have tea
• iie, o-cha ga arimasen - no, we don't have tea

 

• meishi ga arimasu ka - do you have a name card?
• hai, meishi ga arimasu - yes, I have a card

 

 

imasu - when referencing living objects

 

• name-san ga imasu ka - is name here (around)?
• hai, name-san ga imasu - yes, name-san is here
• iie, name-san ga imasen - no, name-san is not here

 

• noun ga imasu ka - is there a noun here (around)?
• hai, noun imasu - yes, we have a noun here / we have noun(s) here

 

Examples

 

• Mahoney-san ga imasu ka - Is Mr(s). Mahoney here?
• hai, Mahoney-san ga imasu - Yes, Mahoney is here
• iie, Mahoney-san ga imasen - No, Mahoney is not here

 

• inu ga imasu ka - Is there a dog here / do you have dogs here?
• hai, inu ga imasu - Yes, {there is a dog | there are dogs} here
• iie, inu ga imasen - No, there are no dogs here

 

 

While not as frequently needed, you should be able to see the patterns:

 

arimashita - there was / were (inanimate)

arimesendeshita - there was not / were not (inanimate)

imashita - there was / were (living)

imasendeshita - there was not / were not (living)