〜（辞書形）ことがあります
There are times when one does something; occasionally do (used to contrast with past experience to show habitual/occasional occurrence).
Verb (Dictionary form) + ことがあります
Meaning
- Japanese: ～たことがある
- Romaji: ~ta koto ga aru
- Meaning (simple English): have done ~ (experience)
- When you use it (1 sentence): Use this pattern to talk about something you have experienced or done at least once in the past.
Simple Explanation
This pattern is used to express that you have had the experience of doing something. It combines the past tense (た-form) of a verb with ことがある.
- Core structure: [Verb in た-form] + ことがある
- Example: 食べる (to eat) → 食べた (ate) → 食べたことがある (have eaten)
To make it negative, change ある to ない: ～たことがない (have never done ~)
Mnemonic / Memory Trick
Imagine a stamp card for experiences. Each time you do something new, you get a stamp. When you say ～たことがある, you are showing that stamp is already on your card. The た-form is like a stamp of completion, and ことがある means "the thing exists" – so the completed action exists in your life experience.
Mini Conversation (Cartoon Style)
Sakura 🌸: ケンジさん、外国に行ったことがありますか。
Romaji: Kenji-san, gaikoku ni itta koto ga arimasu ka.
English: Kenji, have you ever been abroad?
Kenji 🐼: はい、一度だけ韓国に行ったことがあります。
Romaji: Hai, ichido dake Kankoku ni itta koto ga arimasu.
English: Yes, I have been to Korea once.
Sakura 🌸: いいですね！何を食べたことがありますか。
Romaji: Ii desu ne! Nani o tabeta koto ga arimasu ka.
English: That's nice! What have you eaten?
Kenji 🐼: キムチとビビンバを食べたことがあります。とてもおいしかったです。
Romaji: Kimuchi to bibinba o tabeta koto ga arimasu. Totemo oishikatta desu.
English: I have eaten kimchi and bibimbap. They were very delicious.
Common Beginner Mistake
❌ 私は日本に行ったことがします。
✔ 私は日本に行ったことがあります。
Explanation: The pattern uses ある (to exist), not する (to do). Always use ある (or ありません for negative) after た-form + こと.
Practice Exercise
-
Fill in the blank: 私は一度も_______ことがありません。（to eat 食べる）
Options:
A) 食べる
B) 食べた
C) 食べて
Correct answer: B) 食べた
Explanation: The pattern requires the た-form of the verb before ことがありません. -
Make a sentence using ～たことがある to say: "I have seen a kabuki play."
Answer: 私は歌舞伎を見たことがあります。 -
Change the sentence to negative: 私は富士山にのぼったことがあります。
Answer: 私は富士山にのぼったことがありません。
Study Tip
Choose one verb each day and practice making both a positive and negative experience sentence with it. Say it out loud while imagining the experience – this connects the grammar to real life.
[IMG_MEANING_CARD]
[IMG_MNEMONIC]
[IMG_EX_1]
[IMG_EX_2]
[IMG_EX_3]
[IMG_EX_4]
[IMG_EX_5]
[IMG_EX_6]
[IMG_CONVO]
[IMG_QUIZ]
[IMG_STUDY_TIP]
Example Sentences (4-6)
Example 1
Japanese: 私はすしを食べたことがあります。
Romaji: Watashi wa sushi o tabeta koto ga arimasu.
English: I have eaten sushi.
Example 2
Japanese: 日本に行ったことがありますか。
Romaji: Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu ka.
English: Have you ever been to Japan?
Example 3
Japanese: 富士山にのぼったことがあります。
Romaji: Fujisan ni nobotta koto ga arimasu.
English: I have climbed Mount Fuji.
Example 4
Japanese: 私は一度も飛行機に乗ったことがありません。
Romaji: Watashi wa ichido mo hikōki ni notta koto ga arimasen.
English: I have never ridden an airplane even once.
Example 5
Japanese: あの映画を見たことがある？
Romaji: Ano eiga o mita koto ga aru?
English: Have you seen that movie?
Example 6
Japanese: 京都でお茶を飲んだことがあります。
Romaji: Kyōto de ocha o nonda koto ga arimasu.
English: I have drunk tea in Kyoto.
Examples
What should you do next?
Recommended next lessons
〜たことがありません
To have never had the experience of doing something (e.g., 'I have never done...').
〜たことがあります
To have the experience of doing something in the past (e.g., 'I have done... before').
可能形 ＋ ようになる
To become able to do; to reach the point where one can do (indicates a change in ability over time)
動詞の可能形
Can do; be able to do (the potential form of verbs, more common in spoken Japanese)
辞書形 ＋ ことができる
To be able to do; can do (expresses general ability or situational possibility)
〜つもりだ (tsumori da)
Intend to do / Plan to do