Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "わかります" vs "あります"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
わかります
わかります (wakarimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
あります
あります (arimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both わかります and あります are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
わかります (わかります (wakarimasu)) represents "to understand" (Level: N5) and typically represents Polite form of わかる. Indicates comprehension. Often used with particle が..
On the other hand, あります (あります (arimasu)) translates to "to have, to exist (inanimate objects)" (Level: N5) and is used for Polite form of ある. Used for the existence or possession of inanimate objects.. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "わかります"
英語がわかります。
I understand English.
Bilingual Sentence for "あります"
机の上に本があります。
There is a book on the desk.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "英語が ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I understand English.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "わかります" fits here because it represents "to understand" in the context: "I understand English.".