Meaning & Usage
When you see something that has been purposefully set up—like a window left open for fresh air or a meal already prepared—you use ～てある. This expression describes a lasting state that resulted from a deliberate action. Unlike a natural occurrence, this grammar implies that someone did the action for a specific reason.
In English, this is often translated using the passive voice (e.g., "The reservation has been made"). However, the Japanese nuance is deeper. It carries the message: "Someone did this for a purpose, and that purpose is still relevant now." For example, if you notice 窓が開けてある, you aren't just seeing an open window. You are acknowledging that someone opened it to ventilate the room or cool it down.
Think of this pattern as "Completed Preparation." It is a staple in conversations about travel, hosting guests, or finishing work tasks. It differs from ～ている, which simply describes a current state without focusing on intention. While ～ている looks at the result (e.g., "The door is closed"), ～てある highlights the fact that someone closed it with an objective in mind.
You can use this grammar in both formal and casual settings. In polite conversation, use ～てあります. Since the focus stays on the object rather than the person who did the work, it sounds objective and professional.
Structure & Formation
The golden rule for ～てある is that it ONLY pairs with transitive verbs. These are actions you perform on an object, like "to buy," "to write," or "to start." You cannot use intransitive verbs like "to go" or "to fall" with this pattern.
1. Focusing on the Object (Standard)
In this pattern, the object of the action becomes the subject. The particle を (wo) usually changes to が (ga).
Structure: [Noun] が + [Transitive Verb Te-form] + ある
2. Focusing on the Action
Sometimes, you might keep the particle を. This happens when the speaker wants to emphasize the completion of the action itself rather than just the state of the object.
Structure: [Noun] を + [Transitive Verb Te-form] + ある
| Verb Type | Dictionary Form | Te-form | Resultant State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transitive | 書く (to write) | 書いて | 書いてある |
| Transitive | 閉める (to close) | 閉めて | 閉めてある |
| Transitive | 予約する (to reserve) | 予約して | 予約してある |
Example Sentences
Daily Life & Tasks
壁にカレンダーが掛けてあります。
kabe ni karendaa ga kakete arimasu.
A calendar has been hung on the wall (so everyone can see the dates).
もう晩ご飯は作ってありますから、いつでも食べられますよ。
mou bangohan wa tsukutte arimasu kara, itsudemo taberaremasu yo.
Dinner has already been made, so you can eat anytime.
冷蔵庫にビールが入れてあります。
reizouko ni biiru ga irete arimasu.
The beer has been put in the fridge (so it stays cold for later).
Preparation & Work
ホテルの予約はもうしてあります。
hoteru no yoyaku wa mou shite arimasu.
The hotel reservation has already been taken care of.
会議室に資料が並べてあります。
kaigishitsu ni shiryou ga narabete arimasu.
The documents have been laid out in the meeting room.
明日の服はもう準備してあります。
ashita no fuku wa mou junbi shite arimasu.
Tomorrow's clothes have already been prepared/set out.
Information & Public Spaces
この本には名前が書いてあります。
kono hon ni wa namae ga kaite arimasu.
A name is written in this book (someone wrote it to identify ownership).
店の前にメニューが出してあります。
mise no mae ni menyuu ga dashite arimasu.
The menu has been set out in front of the shop.
黒板に試験の時間が書いてあります。
kokuban ni shiken no jikan ga kaite arimasu.
The exam time is written on the blackboard.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Intransitive Verbs
❌ 窓が閉まってあります。
✅ 窓が閉めてあります。
Explanation: ～てある requires an action done to something. 閉まる is intransitive ("to close" by itself). You must use the transitive 閉める to show that someone intentionally closed it.
Mistake 2: Confusing State vs. Intention
❌ ドアが開いています。(When you want to say you opened it on purpose for the guest)
✅ ドアが開けてあります。
Explanation: 開いています only describes the current visual fact that the door is open. Use 開けてあります to hint that the action was a deliberate preparation.
Mistake 3: Focusing too much on the Subject
❌ 私は予約してあります。
✅ 予約がしてあります。
Explanation: ～てある focuses on the object's state. If you want to say "I have done the reservation" focusing on your action, ～ておきました is more natural. With ～てある, the object (reservation) is the star.
Cultural Notes
This grammar often highlights 思いやり (omoi-yari), or consideration for others. By using ～てある, you signal that a space was prepared specifically for someone else’s comfort. It is a subtle part of おもてなし (omotenashi), the Japanese art of hospitality.
Japanese culture frequently avoids naming the person who did a task to stay humble and indirect. Using ～てある allows you to say "The work is done" without explicitly stating "I did this for you." It lets the effort speak for itself while maintaining a harmonious atmosphere.
Related Grammar Points
- Preparation and Foresight: ~te oku (Grammar N4)
- Hearsay (I heard that): Souda (Grammar N4)
- Sequence and Starting Points: Using てから (te kara) (Grammar N4)
- Mastering the Japanese Passive Voice (Ukemi-kei) (Grammar N4)
- Using かもしれない (kamoshirenai) to Express Possibility (Grammar N4)
- The Grammar of Appearance: Using ～そうだ (Grammar N4)
JLPT Tips
On the N4 exam, pay close attention to the verb type. If you see the particle が followed by a transitive verb's te-form and a blank, ある is the likely answer. If the verb is intransitive, look for いる instead.
Watch for time adverbs like もう (already) or まだ (not yet). These are huge clues. They emphasize that preparations are either complete or still waiting to be finished, which is the heart of ～てある.