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Resultant state (something has been done)
Definition
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.
Structure
| 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) |
Examples
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)
Context
〜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.
Watch out
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.
Strategy
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.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜てある used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
窓が開けてあります。涼しいですね。
Pattern used: 開けてあります
〜てある shows someone intentionally opened the window and it remains open. 開いている would just describe the state without implying intent.
テーブルの上にお皿が並べてあります。
Pattern used: 並べてあります
The plates were intentionally arranged and remain in that state. 〜てある emphasizes the prepared result.
会議室にいすが用意してあります。準備は終わりました。
Pattern used: 用意してあります
準備は終わりました confirms the preparation is complete. 〜てある expresses the resulting prepared state.
Interactive
窓が______。涼しいですね。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.