When can I say ある for Animate Objects?

There are two highly common Japanese verbs that mean to exist or be somewhere. They are いる and ある. These are two verbs that you will learn early and use often. They mean basically the same thing except for a small difference. ある is said when talking about inanimate objects or things, and いる when talking about animate or living things. For the most part, this is straightforward. There are a few minor, not-so-common situations where there can be a bit of trouble. Let’s take a look.

When can I say ある for Inanimate Objects?

Before going too deep down the rabbit hole, just know this is not a super common thing you will run into a lot. So, if you are new to learning Japanese don’t worry too much about it.

動詞 – The Basics of Japanese verbs

ある can be said when talking about someone who has a certain position or is in a certain physical or mental state.

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/

Examples

彼かれは教師きょうしという立場たちばにありながら、これまで数々かずかずの問題もんだいを起おこしてきた。
While being in the position as a teacher, he has caused many issues up to now

深ふかい悲かなしみの中なかにある彼女かのじょに、どんな言葉ことばをかけて良いいのか分わからない
I am not sure what to say to her as she is in deep sadness

Resources

• ある｜基本動詞ハンドブック – Ninjal (Japanese)