Examples
Meaning
あります and います both express existence. あります is used for things, places, plants, events, and other non-moving or non-living nouns. います is used for people and animals.
Formation
Use the noun with が, then add あります or います. For example, 本があります means there is a book, and 猫がいます means there is a cat.
Usage
Use this pair when you want to say that something exists somewhere. At N5 level, learners often use it with place expressions such as 机の上に, 部屋に, and 駅の前に.
Nuance
The difference is not about politeness. Both あります and います are polite forms. The important point is the type of noun: objects and places use あります, while living beings that can move around use います.
Comparison
Use あります for 本, 机, 駅, 公園, and similar nouns. Use います for 人, 先生, 友だち, 犬, 猫, and similar nouns.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using あります for a person or animal, such as 先生があります. Say 先生がいます instead. Another mistake is forgetting the place particle に when saying where something exists.
Related Grammar
〜があります
〜があります (ga arimasu) means that a thing, place, or non-living noun exists. It is often translated as there is or there are.
〜がいます
〜がいます (ga imasu) means that a person or animal exists somewhere. It is used for living beings such as teachers, friends, dogs, and cats.
〜は〜にあります
〜は〜にあります is used to say where a known thing, building, or place is located. It often translates as is at or is in.
〜は〜にいます
〜は〜にいます is used to say where a known person or animal is. It is the living-being version of the location pattern.
場所に〜があります／います
場所に〜があります／います is used to say that something or someone exists in a place. The place comes first, followed by に.