それはある

• Reading: それはある
• Romaji: sore wa aru
• Pronunciation: /so.ɾe.wa.a.ɾɯ/

Meaning

A casual agreement phrase meaning 'that's valid,' 'I can see that,' or 'that's a thing' — used to acknowledge someone's point.

それはある (literally 'that exists') functions as a casual way of validating someone else's opinion or experience. It is more thoughtful than a simple うん (yes) — it specifically acknowledges that the other person's point has merit. Often used in online discussions, chat conversations, and Twitter/X replies. It can express partial agreement (conceding a valid point without fully committing) or full endorsement. The phrasing is deliberately understated.

Examples

1. 「朝の通勤マジでストレスだよね」「それはある」 The morning commute is seriously stressful, right?' 'That's valid.
2. それはあるなぁ、確かに最近多いよね。 Yeah, that's a thing — it's definitely been happening a lot lately.
3. 「甘いもの食べると元気出る」「それはある」 Eating sweets cheers you up.' 'That's valid.

Usage Guide

Context: texting, online discussion, social media, casual conversation

Tone: agreeable, validating, thoughtful

Do Say

• それはあるわ (Yeah, that's valid)
• それはあるかも (That might be a thing)

Don't Say

• フォーマルな場では「おっしゃる通りです」などを使う (In formal settings, use おっしゃる通りです or ごもっともです)

Common Mistakes

• Translating literally as 'that is' — the idiomatic meaning is 'that's valid/I can see that'
• Not understanding it can express partial agreement, not just full agreement

Origin & History

Natural Japanese expression that became a standard agreement phrase in online discussion culture in the 2010s. The literally 'that exists' phrasing developed into an idiomatic validation of someone's point.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s online discussion culture

Generation: All ages in casual settings

Social background: Universal casual

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. A standard validation phrase in casual discussion.