JLPT N5 Grammar
· Beginner
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· Beginner
Resultant state (something has been done)
Category: Te-form Patterns
The grammar pattern 〜てある is used to describe a resultant state, indicating that an action has been done intentionally and its result remains. It focuses on the state, not the doer. This pattern is often used to describe a situation or a condition that has been created or prepared. For example, if you say "窓が開いてある" (the window is open), it implies that someone has opened the window and it remains open. This pattern is commonly used in everyday conversations to describe situations or conditions that have been created or prepared.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Transitive verb in te-form | Verb + てある | 開いてある (opened) |
| Transitive verb in te-form with location | Verb + てある + する/の/に | 置いてある (placed) |
| Transitive verb in te-form with adverb | Verb + てある + で | 作ってある (made) |
窓が開いてある。涼しいですね。
Mado ga aite aru. Suiyoi desu ne.
The window is open. It's cool, isn't it?
窓が開いてある (the window is open), 涼しい (cool), ですね (isn't it?)
テーブルの上にお皿が置いてある。
Teburu no ue ni o-pan ga oite aru.
There's a plate on the table.
テーブルの上 (on the table), お皿 (plate), 置いてある (placed)
会議室に椅子が置いてある。準備は終わりました。
Kaigi-shitsu ni isu ga oite aru. Junbi wa owari mashita.
There's a chair in the conference room. The preparation is finished.
会議室に (in the conference room), 椅子 (chair), 置いてある (placed), 準備は終わりました (the preparation is finished)
〜てある is used to describe a resultant state, and it's often used in everyday conversations to describe situations or conditions that have been created or prepared. It's not used to describe ongoing actions, which is the difference between 〜てある and 〜ている. In terms of register, 〜てある is a polite form and is used in formal situations.
Intransitive verbs don't take the te-form, so you can't use 〜てある with them. Instead, use 〜ている to describe ongoing actions.
〜てある and 〜ている are often confused, but they have different meanings. 〜てある describes a situation or condition that has been created or prepared, while 〜ている describes an ongoing action.
〜てある is a polite form and is used in formal situations. Using it in informal situations may sound awkward or unnatural.
In the JLPT exam, you may encounter questions that test your ability to use 〜てある correctly. Make sure to read the sentences carefully and identify the resultant state being described. Also, be aware of the difference between 〜てある and 〜ている, and use the correct form depending on the context.
窓が______。涼しいですね。
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