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
決まる
きまる (kimaru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "be" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between います and 決まる.
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, 決まる (きまる (kimaru)) maps to "to be decided, to be fixed (intransitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Indicates that a decision has been made or something has been settled, often by itself or by someone else, but the focus is on the state of being decided.. 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 "決まる"
来月の旅行の日程が決まりました。
The itinerary for next month's trip has been decided.
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.". "決まる" represents "to be decided, to be fixed (intransitive)".