居る
いる
(humble) to be (animate), to exist
Iru (居る) is an ichidan verb meaning "(humble) to be (animate), to exist". Its polite form is 居ます (imasu), its te form is 居て (ite), its past form is 居た (ita), and its negative form is 居ない (inai).
Ichidan verbJLPT N5
Iru (居る) conjugation quick reference
居る means "(humble) to be (animate), to exist". Its main forms are listed below, with links to the grammar pattern behind each form.
Iru example sentences
ねこがいる。
There is a cat.
きのう、いえにいなかった。
I was not at home yesterday.
いま、がっこうにいます。
I am at school now.
How to use Iru: grammar notes
•居る (いる) is a humble way to say "to be" for people or animals, so use it when talking about yourself or someone in your group to show respect (e.g., わたしはここに居ります = I am here).
•Use the particle に to show where someone is using 居る (e.g., 社長は会社に居ります = The president is at the office); don't use を or で by mistake.
•Don't confuse 居る with いる (the regular form); 居る is more polite and humble, so save it for formal situations like business or speaking respectfully about your group.
•JLPT N5 level
Common phrases with Iru
ここに居ます
I am here / Someone is here
家に居る
To be at home
まだ居ますか？
Are you still here?
Iru (居る) conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Forms | ||
| Dictionary Form | 居る | iru |
| Masu Form | 居ます | imasu |
| Te Form | 居て | ite |
| Past Form | 居た | ita |
| Negative Form | 居ない | inai |
| Past Negative | 居なかった | inakatta |
| Polite Forms | ||
| Polite Present | 居ます | imasu |
| Polite Past | 居ました | imashita |
| Polite Negative | 居ません | imasen |
| Polite Past Negative | 居ませんでした | imasendeshita |
| Advanced Forms | ||
| Potential Form | 居られる | irareru |
| Passive Form | 居られる | irareru |
| Causative Form | 居させる | isaseru |
| Causative Passive | 居させられる | isaserareru |
| Volitional Form | 居よう | iyou |
| Imperative Form | 居ろ | iro |
| Conditional Forms | ||
| Conditional (ば) | 居れば | ireba |
| Conditional (たら) | 居たら | itara |
| Other Forms | ||
| Progressive Form | 居ている | iteiru |
| Desire (たい) | 居たい | itai |
| Prohibition | 居るな | iruna |