Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Be" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "be", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
います
います (imasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
伝わる
つたわる (tsutawaru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "be" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between います and 伝わる.
In Japanese, います (います (imasu)) is typically associated with "to be, to exist (animate objects)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of いる. Used for the existence of animate objects.
On the other hand, 伝わる (つたわる (tsutawaru)) maps to "to be conveyed, to be transmitted, to be understood" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. Describes information, feelings, sounds, or messages reaching someone or being correctly understood. The subject is the thing that is conveyed, not the person conveying it.. A literal translation of "be" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "います"
部屋に猫がいます。
There is a cat in the room.
Bilingual Context for "伝わる"
彼の熱い思いがみんなに伝わった。
His passionate feelings were conveyed to everyone.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "部屋に猫が ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "There is a cat in the room.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "います" fits here because it means "to be, to exist (animate objects)" in the context of: "There is a cat in the room.". "伝わる" represents "to be conveyed, to be transmitted, to be understood".