Structure
Verb + ものがある
[い]Adjective + ものがある
[な]Adjective + な +ものがある
Details
Register
Formal
使用域
硬い
Rare Kanji
物
About ものがある
ものがある is an interesting grammar structure in Japanese that is used to declare that something has a particular trait of (A), according to the speaker's subjective opinion. Often, ものがある is translated as 'I feel strongly that (A)', or 'there is something (A) about (B)'. The latter meaning is very close to the literal translation here, as もの 'thing', がある 'there is' implies that the speaker strongly senses the presence of (A) within (B), even if they themselves cannot figure out why they feel that way.
ものがある is primarily seen following verbs in either their dictionary or negated forms, い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives followed by な.
ものがある is primarily seen following verbs in either their dictionary or negated forms, い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives followed by な.
- この映画は人の心を動かすものがある。This film has something that moves people's hearts.
- 彼の話には納得いかないものがある。There is something about his story that I don't agree with.
- 自分が好きなことを仕事にできるのは、嬉しいものがある。There is something delightful about being able to do what you love for a living.
- 子供だけで川で遊ばせるのは、危険なものがある。There is something dangerous about letting children play in the river alone.
Caution - Although 'I feel strongly that (A)' is a common interpretation of ものがある, it is important to remember that the actual thing that is generating that feeling within the speaker may either be very strong, or very weak. In other words, ものがある may be used even when something isn't obvious about (A), so long as the speaker themselves feel strongly about it.
Fun-fact - 目を見張るものがある is a set phrase that is a combination of 目を見張る 'to be astonished', and ものがある. In most cases, this expression just means that (B) is extremely surprising or impressive.
- 彼の運動神経の良さは目を見張るものがある。His athleticism is remarkable.
Examples
日本の伝統芸能には、心を動かすものがある。
In Japanese traditional art, there is something that really moves your heart.
美味しいものを食べるため、寒い中行列に並ぶのはつらいものがある。
It is very hard to stand in line in the bitter cold, just to eat something delicious.
こちらのお店のメニューには、人を引き付けるものがある。
I feel strongly that this restaurant's menu will bring in people.
君の俳句にはなんとも言えないものがある。
(I feel strongly that) there is something about your haiku that words cannot describe.
彼の遺した言葉には考えさせられるものがあった。
I felt strongly that his last words were inspiring.
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
ものがある in action
NihongoDayByDay
More ものがある in action
NihongoDayByDay
Everything もの!
日本語教師のN1et
Offline
A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns - For Teachers And Learners
Page 638
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
ものがある – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (1 in total)
Eroliene
Kind of a nit-pick, but wouldn’t it be much more appropriate to say that this grammar point emphasizes “the existence of (B) within (A)”?
Got questions about ものがある? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion