「ある」 (aru) means "to exist," "to be," or "to have" for inanimate objects (things that don't move on their own). It describes the presence or possession of such items. For example, "本があります" (Hon ga arimasu) means "There is a book."

「ある(ある)」は、物(もの)や場所(ばしょ)の存在(そんざい)を表(あらわ)し、無生物(むせいぶつ)に使(つか)います。本(ほん)があります。