Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "わかります" vs "ある"
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
ある
ある (aru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both わかります and ある 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, ある (ある (aru)) translates to "to exist (inanimate), to be (for things), to have" (Level: N5) and is used for Used for non-living things. 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 "ある"
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.".