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
Transitive verb て-form + ある
Examples of the pattern:
- 書いてある
- 開けてある
- 置いてある
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
- ドアが開けてあります。 — The door has been opened.
- 机の上に本が置いてあります。 — A book has been placed on the desk.
- 紙に名前が書いてあります。 — A name is written on the paper.
- 部屋が掃除してあります。 — The room has been cleaned.
- ホテルを予約してあります。 — The hotel has been reserved.
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.
てある:
- often implies intentional preparation
- uses transitive verbs
ている:
- can describe ongoing action or state
- does not necessarily imply preparation
Quick contrast examples:
- 名前が書いてあります。— The name has been written there.
- 名前を書いています。— Someone is writing the name.
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
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using intransitive verbs where ている is better
- Forgetting the preparation nuance
- Confusing it with progressive ている
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?
Yes. てある is commonly taught as JLPT N5 grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for てある
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say the name is written on the paper.
- Say the room has been cleaned.
- Say a hotel has been reserved.
Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.
Learn てある with Kanjiru
If you want to review てある together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N5 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: