ものがあるmono ga aru“there is such a thing; to be the case that; feels like”

ものがある means there is such a thing; to be the case that; feels like ~. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that there is something about a situation, person, or thing that evokes a particular quality or impression.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that there is something about a situation, person, or thing that evokes a particular quality or impression, ものがある is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does ものがある mean?

Use ものがある when you want to express that there is something about a situation, person, or thing that evokes a particular quality or impression.

Natural translations include:

• there is such a thing; to be the case that; feels like ~

How to form ものがある

Verb/い-adj (plain form) + ものがある / な-adj + なものがある

Examples of the pattern:

• 感動させるものがある
• 寂しさを感じるものがある

When is ものがある used?

Use ものがある in situations like:

• acknowledging that something has a certain quality or feeling

Tone and register:

• neutral; reflective and somewhat literary
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

ものがある example sentences

• 彼の演奏には心を打つものがある。 — There is something moving about his performance.
• この町には懐かしさを感じるものがある。 — There is something nostalgic about this town.
• 彼の言葉には人を納得させるものがある。 — There’s something in his words that really convinces people.
• 彼女の笑顔には人を幸せにするものがある。 — There is something about her smile that makes people happy.
• この映画には考えさせられるものがある。 — There is something thought-provoking about this movie.

After reading each sentence, ask what job ものがある is doing: there is something about a situation, person, or thing that evokes a particular quality or impression.

Nuance of ものがある

The key nuance is there is something about a situation, person, or thing that evokes a particular quality or impression.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with 感じがする, it carries a different weight and implication.

ものがある vs 感じがする

ものがある:

• there is something about a situation, person, or thing that evokes a particular quality or impression

感じがする:

• feels like (more casual/personal)

Quick contrast examples:

• 心を打つものがある。
• 心を打つ感じがする。

Common mistakes with ものがある

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with ものがある, then rewrite it with 感じがする. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is ものがある on the JLPT?

Yes. ものがある is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for ものがある

• Use ものがある in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of ものがある is necessary.
• Compare ものがある with 感じがする in your own example.

Learning path for ものがある

To learn ものがある efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form ものがある without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with 感じがする.
3. Finally, write sentences where ものがある is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ものだ — because it also expresses emotional truths and reactions
• ことに — because it also front-loads emotional responses
• げ — because it also describes outward appearance and impression

Learn ものがある with Hane

If you want to review ものがある together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons