immersionlog

〜てある

has been done (and is still so)

Thing が + transitive verb て-form + ある

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て-form + ある describes a state that someone created on purpose: 窓が開けてあります, "the window has been left open" (someone opened it, for a reason).

It uses verbs that take an object (開ける, 書く, 貼る), and the thing becomes the subject with が.

Compare ている with the matching verb that has no object: 窓が開いています just says the window is open, no one in the picture. 窓が開けてあります implies a person did it deliberately.

It's what you use to describe what's been set up or written: 本に名前が書いてあります, "the book has a name written in it"; 壁に地図が貼ってある, "there's a map up on the wall".

Examples

  • 換気かんきのために、窓まどが開あけてあります。

    The window's been left open to air the room.

  • 壁かべに地図ちずが貼はってあります。

    There's a map up on the wall.

  • テーブルに花はなが飾かざってあります。

    Flowers have been set out on the table.

  • ビールはもう冷ひやしてありますよ。

    The beer's already been chilled.

  • この本ほんに名前なまえが書かいてあります。

    This book has a name written in it.

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