いる

い

る

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 100

Meanings

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Used for animate beings (people, animals). Contrasts with ある for inanimate objects. Also used for existence in a location.

See also: ある

彼かれは今いま、家いえにいる。

He is at home now.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Indicates remaining in a place, often for a period of time. Overlaps with sense 1 but emphasizes duration.

auxiliary verb, ichidan verb

usually written using kana alone

Auxiliary verb attached to the -te form of a verb to indicate a continuing action or progressive state.

auxiliary verb, ichidan verb

usually written using kana alone

Auxiliary verb attached to the -te form of a verb to indicate a resulting state that continues after the action.

いるUsage99%
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
居いるUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; learners should prefer the kana spelling.

ある
Used for inanimate objects and abstract existence, while いる is for animate beings.

The historical derivation is uncertain; the word is a basic verb of existence for animate beings in Japanese.