Grammar Point
intransitive verb
vi 
Ichidan verb
v1 
word usually written using kana alone
uk 
いる

to be (of animate objects), to exist

Animate Existence

The verb いる is used to indicate the existence or presence of animate objects, such as people and animals. It is used when the subject is capable of independent movement.

People

Used to state the presence of a person.

There is a student.

A child is here.

Animals

Used to state the presence of an animal.

There is a dog.

A cat was in the room.

Note

いる is exclusively for animate objects. For inanimate objects like buildings, plants, or furniture, the verb ある must be used instead. Even though plants are biologically alive, they are treated as inanimate in Japanese because they do not move independently.

Words: 
居るいる
Radicals of radicals