Lesson 8: やまださんはどこにいますか – Where Is Yamada-san?
Asking about locations, finding people and things in offices and workplaces.
This lesson focuses on workplace vocabulary, locating people and objects, and asking about positions and locations. You'll learn how to ask where someone is, describe locations using position words, and talk about office equipment and spaces.
Key topics:
- ・Office and workplace vocabulary
- ・Position words (above, below, beside, inside, etc.)
- ・Asking about locations of people and things
- ・Office equipment and supplies
- ・Workplace rooms and facilities
- ・Describing where things are located
- ・Making polite requests to find things
Vocabulary
1
いる
iru
-
to be present (for people/animals)
Example
やまださんはここにいます.
Yamada-san wa koko ni imasu.
Yamada-san is here.
2
さがす
sagasu
探す
to look for
Example
はさみをさがします.
Hasami o sagashimasu.
I look for scissors.
3
きがえる
kigaeru
着替える
to change (clothing)
Example
こういしつできがえます.
Kouishitsu de kigaemasu.
I change clothes in the changing room.
4
おちゃをいれる
ocha o ireru
お茶を入れる
to make tea
Example
きゅうとうしつでおちゃをいれます.
Kyuutoushitsu de ocha o iremasu.
I make tea in the kitchenette.
5
ごはんをたべる
gohan o taberu
ご飯を食べる
to have meal
Example
しょくどうでごはんをたべます.
Shokudou de gohan o tabemasu.
I have meals in the cafeteria.
6
うちあわせをする
uchiawase o suru
打ち合わせをする
to do meeting
Example
かいぎしつでうちあわせをします.
Kaigishitsu de uchiawase o shimasu.
I have a meeting in the conference room.
7
よこ
yoko
横
beside
Example
つくえのよこにいすがあります.
Tsukue no yoko ni isu ga arimasu.
There is a chair beside the desk.
8
なか
naka
中
inside
Example
はおのなかにあります.
Hako no naka ni arimasu.
It's inside the box.
9
うえ
ue
上
above
Example
ほんだなのうえにあります.
Hondana no ue ni arimasu.
It's above the bookshelf.
10
した
shita
下
below
Example
つくえのしたにあります.
Tsukue no shita ni arimasu.
It's under the desk.
11
となり
tonari
隣
next to
Example
つくえの となりです.
Tsukue no tonari desu.
It's next to the desk.
12
ガムテープ
gamuteepu
-
duct tape
Example
ガムテープはそうこにあります.
Gamuteepu wa souko ni arimasu.
The duct tape is in the storeroom.
13
コピーき
kopiiki
コピー機
copy machine
Example
コピーきは１かいにあります.
Kopiiki wa ik-kai ni arimasu.
The copy machine is on the 1st floor.
14
たぶん
tabun
-
probably
Example
たぶん、かいぎしつにいます.
Tabun, kaigishitsu ni imasu.
He's probably in the conference room.
15
はさみ
hasami
-
scissors
Example
はさみをつかいます.
Hasami o tsukaimasu.
I use scissors.
16
ごみばこ
gomibako
ごみ箱
garbage can
Example
ごみばこはドアのよこにあります.
Gomibako wa doa no yoko ni arimasu.
The garbage can is beside the door.
17
つくえ
tsukue
机
desk
Example
つくえのうえでしごとをします.
Tsukue no ue de shigoto o shimasu.
I work on the desk.
18
はこ
hako
箱
box
Example
はこのなかにしょるいがあります.
Hako no naka ni shorui ga arimasu.
There are documents in the box.
19
ファックス
fakkusu
FAX
fax
Example
ファックスはじむしつにあります.
Fakkusu wa jimushitsu ni arimasu.
The fax machine is in the office.
20
だんせい
dansei
男性
men
Example
だんせいのこういしつは２かいにあります.
Dansei no kouishitsu wa ni-kai ni arimasu.
The men's changing room is on the 2nd floor.
21
のり
nori
-
glue
Example
のりはひきだしのなかにあります.
Nori wa hikidashi no naka ni arimasu.
The glue is inside the drawer.
22
ひきだし
hikidashi
引き出し
drawer
Example
ひきだしのなかを見てください.
Hikidashi no naka o mite kudasai.
Please look inside the drawer.
23
きゅうとうしつ
kyuutoushitsu
給湯室
kitchenette
Example
きゅうとうしつでおちゃをいれます.
Kyuutoushitsu de ocha o iremasu.
I make tea in the kitchenette.
24
じむしつ
jimushitsu
事務室
office
Example
じむしつでしごとをします.
Jimushitsu de shigoto o shimasu.
I work in the office.
25
こういしつ
kouishitsu
更衣室
changing room
Example
こういしつできがえます.
Kouishitsu de kigaemasu.
I change in the changing room.
26
しょくどう
shokudou
食堂
cafeteria
Example
しょくどうでごはんをたべます.
Shokudou de gohan o tabemasu.
I eat meals in the cafeteria.
27
そうこ
souko
倉庫
storeroom
Example
そうこにざいこがあります.
Souko ni zaiko ga arimasu.
There is inventory in the storeroom.
28
かいぎしつ
kaigishitsu
会議室
conference room
Example
かいぎしつでうちあわせをします.
Kaigishitsu de uchiawase o shimasu.
I have a meeting in the conference room.
29
きつえんじょ
kitsuenjo
喫煙所
smoking room / smoking area
Example
きつえんじょは１かいにあります.
Kitsuenjo wa ik-kai ni arimasu.
The smoking area is on the 1st floor.
30
おすすめのおうせつしつ
osusume no ousetsushitsu
おすすめの応接室
reception room
Example
おすすめのおうせつしつは２かいにあります.
Osusume no ousetsushitsu wa ni-kai ni arimasu.
The recommended reception room is on the 2nd floor.
Conversation
1
やまださんはどこですか？
Yamada-san wa doko desu ka?
Where is Yamada-san?
Example Usage
すみません、やまださんはどこですか？
Sumimasen, Yamada-san wa doko desu ka?
Excuse me, where is Yamada-san?
2
かいぎしつにいます.
Kaigishitsu ni imasu.
He's in the conference room.
Example Usage
やまださんはかいぎしつにいます.
Yamada-san wa kaigishitsu ni imasu.
Yamada-san is in the conference room.
3
はさみはどこですか？
Hasami wa doko desu ka?
Where are the scissors?
Example Usage
すみません、はさみはどこですか？
Sumimasen, Hasami wa doko desu ka?
Excuse me, where are the scissors?
4
つくえのひきだしのなかにありますよ.
Tsukue no hikidashi no naka ni arimasu yo.
They're in the desk drawer.
Example Usage
はさみはつくえのひきだしのなかにありますよ.
Hasami wa tsukue no hikidashi no naka ni arimasu yo.
The scissors are in the desk drawer (I'm telling you).
5
さがしてみます.
Sagashite mimasu.
I'll try to look.
Example Usage
さがしてみます.ちょっとまってください.
Sagashite mimasu. Chotto matte kudasai.
I'll try to look. Please wait a moment.
Kanji
1
給湯室
kitchenette
給🎬
supply, pay
湯🎬
hot water, bath
室🎬
room, chamber
Example
きゅうとうしつでおちゃをいれます.
Kyuutoushitsu de ocha o iremasu.
I make tea in the kitchenette.
2
事務室
office
事🎬
matter, affair
務🎬
task, duty
室🎬
room, chamber
Example
じむしつでしごとをします.
Jimushitsu de shigoto o shimasu.
I work in the office.
3
更衣室
changing room
更🎬
renew, shift
衣🎬
garment, clothes
室🎬
room, chamber
Example
こういしつできがえます.
Kouishitsu de kigaemasu.
I change in the changing room.
4
食堂
cafeteria
食🎬
eat, food
堂🎬
hall, public room
Example
しょくどうは１かいにあります.
Shokudou wa ik-kai ni arimasu.
The cafeteria is on the 1st floor.
5
倉庫
storeroom
倉🎬
storehouse
庫🎬
warehouse
Example
そうこにざいこがあります.
Souko ni zaiko ga arimasu.
There is inventory in the storeroom.
6
会議室
conference room
会🎬
meeting, meet
議🎬
deliberation, debate
室🎬
room, chamber
Example
かいぎしつでうちあわせをします.
Kaigishitsu de uchiawase o shimasu.
I have a meeting in the conference room.
7
喫煙所
smoking room / smoking area
喫🎬
consume, smoke
煙🎬
smoke
所🎬
place
Example
きつえんじょは１かいにあります.
Kitsuenjo wa ik-kai ni arimasu.
The smoking area is on the 1st floor.
8
応接室
reception room
応🎬
respond, accept
接🎬
touch, receive
室🎬
room, chamber
Example
おすすめのおうせつしつは２かいにあります.
Osusume no ousetsushitsu wa ni-kai ni arimasu.
The recommended reception room is on the 2nd floor.
9
上
up, above
上🎬
up, above
Example
ほんだなのうえにあります.
Hondana no ue ni arimasu.
It's above the bookshelf.
10
下
down, below
下🎬
down, below
Example
つくえのしたにあります.
Tsukue no shita ni arimasu.
It's under the desk.
11
中
inside, middle
中🎬
middle, inside
Example
はこのなかにあります.
Hako no naka ni arimasu.
It's inside the box.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Saying where an action happens
Structure: [Place] + で + V-ます
This expression describes the place where an action happens. It is used to explain what a room or area is used for. The particle で marks the location of the action.
How to use: Add で after the noun indicating the place, as in ここで, and place it before the verb: [Place] + で + V-ます. The question form is [Place] + で + V-ますか.The negative is [Place] + で + V-ません. For existence rather than action, use に instead.
💡 Pro Tip: で marks where an action takes place, while に marks where something exists. Compare ここでちゃくかええます (an action here) with ここにあります (existence here). Do not use を for the place of action.
Examples
ここできがえます.
Koko de kigaemasu.
Change your clothes here.
しょくどうで食べます.
Shokudou de tabemasu.
I eat in the cafeteria.
Rule 2: Saying where a person is
Structure: [Person] + は + [Place] + に + います
This expression explains the location of a person. います is the マス-form of the verb いる (to be in/at), used for people and animals. The particle は makes the person the topic, and に marks the location.
How to use: Use [Person] + は + [Place] + に + います.Instead of ～にいます, ～です can also be used. To ask where someone is, use どこ: ～は、どこにいますか？ or ～は、どこですか？ The negative is いません or いないです.
💡 Pro Tip: Use います for people and animals, and あります for things. に marks location of existence, not で. In casual speech, いる is used instead of います.
Examples
やまださんは、しょくどうにいます.
Yamada-san wa, shokudou ni imasu.
Yamada-san is in the cafeteria.
先生は、どこにいますか.
Sensei wa, doko ni imasu ka.
Where is the teacher?
Rule 3: Saying a person is not there
Structure: [Person] + は + いません / [Person] + は + いないです
いません is the negative form of います. In spoken language, いないです is also used, with the same meaning as いません. These expressions say that a person is not present.
How to use: Use [Person] + は + いません for a polite negative statement, or [Person] + は + いないです in more conversational speech. The question form is [Person] + は + いますか.The past negative is いませんでした or いなかったです.
💡 Pro Tip: いません is more formal; いないです is common in speech. Do not use ありません for people. The particle は often signals contrast, as in つじさんはいませんね (Tsuji-san isn't here, is she).
Examples
つじさんは、いませんね.
Tsuji-san wa, imasen ne.
Tsuji-san is not here.
アマンダさん、いないですね.
Amanda-san, inai desu ne.
Amanda-san is not here.
Rule 4: Saying where a thing is
Structure: [Thing] + は + ここ / そこ / あそこ + に + あります
This expression describes the place where something is. あります is the マス-form of the verb ある (to be), used to state that something exists. The particle は makes the thing the topic, and に marks the location.
How to use: Use [Thing] + は + [Place] + に + あります.Instead of ～にあります, ～です can also be used. To ask where something is, use どこ: ～は、どこにありますか？ or ～は、どこですか？ The negative is ありません or ないです.
💡 Pro Tip: ここ points near the speaker, そこ near the listener, and あそこ far from both. Use あります for things and います for people. に marks existence, while で marks action.
| Word | Use |
|---|---|
| ここ | near the speaker |
| そこ | near the listener |
| あそこ | far from both |
Examples
はさみは、そこにあります.
Hasami wa, soko ni arimasu.
The scissors are there.
本は、あそこにあります.
Hon wa, asoko ni arimasu.
The book is over there.
Rule 5: Describing a precise location
Structure: N + の + [Location] + に + あります
This expression describes a location in detail. Add の to the thing used for reference to describe the location, such as ～の上 (above ～), ～の中 (inside ～), or ～の下 (below ～).
How to use: Use N + の + [Location] + に + あります, for example ひきき出しの中にあります.Common location words are 上 (above), 中 (inside), 下 (below), 前 (front), 後ろ (behind), and となり (next to). The question form is どこにありますか.
💡 Pro Tip: The の connects the reference object to the location word: 机の上, not 机上. These position words work like nouns, so they need に before あります. Do not confuse 上 (above) with うえ as a general noun meaning「 top."
Examples
ひきだしの中にあります.
Hikidashi no naka ni arimasu.
It's inside the drawer.
つくえの上にあります.
Tsukue no ue ni arimasu.
It's on the desk.
Exercises
Question 1
'I eat in the cafeteria.'
しょくどう ______ たべます.
Question 2
Which is correct for 'I change clothes in the changing room.'?
Question 3
'Yamada-san is in the conference room.'
やまださんは かいぎしつ ______ います.
Question 4
Which is correct for 'The cat is in the room.'?
Question 5
Complete the question: 'Where is Yamada-san?'
やまださんは ______ にいますか.
Question 6
How do you say 'Tsuji-san is not here.'?
Question 7
'Amanda-san is not here.'
アマンダさんは ______ ですね.
Question 8
Which is correct for 'The scissors are there (near the listener).'?
Question 9
Complete: 'The book is over there (far from both of us).'
ほんは ______ にあります.
Question 10
Which is correct for 'It's inside the drawer.'?
Question 11
Complete: 'It's on the desk.'
つくえ ______ うえ にあります.
Question 12
Complete: 'It's under the desk.'
つくえの ______ にあります.
Question 13
What does 'かばんのなか' mean?
Question 14
How do you say 'beside the desk'?
Question 15
Choose the correct reading of 上.
Question 16
Choose the correct reading of 下.
Question 17
Choose the correct reading of 中.
Question 18
Complete: 'It's here, isn't it?'
ここに あります ______.
Question 19
Which is correct for 'There is a cat under the table.'?
Question 20
Choose the appropriate response to 'やまださんはどこですか' if he is in the library.