てある

てある means has been done; resulting state. It is a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar pattern used to describe a state resulting from someone’s intentional action.

This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, classroom Japanese, and JLPT-style questions. If you want to describe a state resulting from someone’s intentional action, てある is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you build natural basic sentences.

What does てある mean?

Use てある when you want to describe a state resulting from someone’s intentional action.

Natural translations include:

• has been done
• resulting state
• has been done; resulting state

The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on the role of the grammar point in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.

How to form てある

Examples of the pattern:

• 書かいてある
• 開あけてある
• 置おいてある

Pay attention to the word form before and after the pattern. Many beginner mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.

When is てある used?

Use てある in situations like:

• prepared objects
• written information
• intentional arrangements

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions

てある example sentences

Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: question, contrast, reason, time limit, suggestion, negation, comparison, or obligation.

Nuance of てある

The key nuance is someone did the action, and the result remains.

This matters because beginner Japanese often uses small words and endings to show meaning that English expresses with word order or helper verbs. For てある, the sentence can change a lot depending on placement and context.

For example:

• In conversation, it helps the listener understand someone did the action, and the result remains.
• Compared with ている, it has a different job even when the English translation looks close.

てある vs ている

Both てある and ている can express related ideas, but they are different.

If you are unsure which one to use, ask what the sentence is trying to do: ask a question, connect ideas, show a reason, mark time, make an invitation, compare two things, or express obligation.

Common mistakes with てある

A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.

Is てある on the JLPT?

Practice questions for てある

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.

Learning path for てある

Related grammar to review next

• な-adjectives — reviews another way to describe identity, existence, adjective quality, or state.
• ている — reviews another way to describe identity, existence, adjective quality, or state.
• まだ — contrasts with this pattern from the time, sequence, and experience grammar group.
• もう — contrasts with this pattern from the time, sequence, and experience grammar group.

Learn てある with Hane

If you want to review てある together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N5 grammar lessons