Have you ever traveled to Japan? Have you ever eaten sushi? In Japanese, there’s a specific way to ask and answer questions about past experiences. The phrase ことがある is used to express whether you have ever done something before.
This grammar point is frequently used in everyday conversations, especially when discussing past experiences, trying new things, or getting to know someone
ことがある
Have Done Before
JLPT Level: N4
Understanding it once is only the first step
With spaced review, personalized example sentences, and targeted grammar questions, Kotoba Kards helps you actually remember grammar and use it with confidence
How to Use It
Use ことがある after the past short form of a verb to describe a personal experience—something that has happened at least once in your life.
This grammar point can be used to both ask and answer questions about past experiences. In formal situations, you’ll use the full expression, while in casual conversation, it’s common to shorten the form and even drop the particle が. To express that you have not experienced something, conjugate ある into the negative. You can also use this grammar freely to talk about your own experiences, even when no one has asked you a question.
Usage Pattern
[Verb (Past Short Form)]+ ことがある(I have done X before)
[Verb (Past Short Form)]+ ことがありません(I have never done X before)
Example 1
寿司を食べたことがありますか？
すし を たべた こと が あります か？
Sushi o tabeta koto ga arimasu ka?
Have you ever eaten sushi?
Example 2
私は京都に行ったことがあります。
わたし は きょうと に いった こと が あります。
Watashi wa Kyōto ni itta koto ga arimasu.
I have been to Kyoto before.
Example 3
一度も北海道に行ったことがありません。
いちども ほっかいどう に いった こと が ありません。
Ichido mo Hokkaidō ni itta koto ga arimasen.
I have never been to Hokkaido before.
Want to actually remember this?
Practice it with spaced repetition and example sentences built from words you already know.