~ has been done, ~ is in a state of having been done

Intermediate

10-15 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates a state resulting from someone having done something intentionally.

[Verb て-form] + ある

窓が開けてあります。

Mado ga akete arimasu.

The window has been opened (and is still open).

テーブルに料理が準備してあります。

Teeburu ni ryouri ga junbi shite arimasu.

The food has been prepared on the table.

Different from ～ている which focuses on the action or ongoing state.

～ておく

do ~ in advance, do ~ for later

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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