〜てある

てある
auxiliary
has been done (and left that way)
grammatical
1. has been done and left in that state
Te-form of a transitive verb plus ある. Describes a state that continues because someone deliberately produced it. The doer is not named, but their intention is felt: 窓(まど)が開(あ)けてある means someone opened the window on purpose and left it open.
窓(まど)が開(あ)けてある。
The window has been left open.
壁(かべ)に地図(ちず)が貼(は)ってある。
A map is put up on the wall.
会議(かいぎ)の資料(しりょう)はもう印刷(いんさつ)してあります。
The materials for the meeting have already been printed.
冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)に飲(の)み物(もの)が冷(ひ)やしてあるから、自由(じゆう)に飲(の)んでください。
There are drinks chilled in the fridge, so please help yourself.

Only transitive verbs take 〜てある, and the object usually shifts from を to が: 窓(まど)を開(あ)ける becomes 窓(まど)が開(あ)けてある.

Forms

Similar words

  • 〜ている: with an intransitive verb, describes the same state without implying anyone did it (窓(まど)が開(あ)いている, the window is open)
  • 〜ておく: to do something in advance; 〜てある describes the state that 〜ておく leaves behind

Related Words

Related: ている
Related: 〜ておく

Related Articles

The Te-Form Helper Verbs: ている, ておく, てしまう, and More Transitive and Intransitive Verb Pairs
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Added 2026.8.4 15:26 · Revised 2026.10.13 15:22
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