Describes a state after the action A takes place.
The action was done intentionally by someone.
23点
ソファーの脇にケイタイが置いてあるよ。忘れないでね。
The cell phone is beside the sofa. Don't forget it!
25点
カレーの作り方は、箱の面に書いてあるよ。
The way to make curry is written on the top of the box.
14点
住所が葉書に書いてあるので、忘れないようにメモしておいて。
The address is written on the postcard, so please make a note of it so you don't forget it.
4点
家に帰ると、掃除が終わっていた。今日は私の誕生日ですから、夫が掃除をしてくれました。
When I got home, the cleaning had already been done! It's my birthday today, so my husband did it for me.
17点
夕飯が用意してあるので、食べる前に温めてください。
I've prepared dinner, so please reheat it before you eat.
0点
席は五人分予約してある。
I've reserved seats for five people.
2点
テーブルの上には私の財布が置いてあるわ。
My wallet has been placed on the table.
Getting the sentences
These user sentences have been verified by a native speaker.

mtsugawa
1
7
Level: 5
(10 years ago)
仕事に出かけるけど、晩御飯は作ってあるから好きな時に食べてね。
I am leaving for work, but dinner's already made so eat it whenever you feel like it.



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Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Basic Examples:
ドアが閉めてある (the door is closed)
Notes
Only used with transitive verbs.
Where this grammar is found
Genki II (2nd Edition): Chapter 21
Nihongo So-Matome N4 (日本語総まとめ): 第4週 5日目
新完全マスター文法 N4: 第2部 9課
renshuu schedule packs: N5 Grammar pack
JLPT N5 / Beginner: Grammar for Jumble Quizzes
Nihongo So-Matome N4 (日本語総まとめ): 第4週 5日目
新完全マスター文法 N4: 第2部 9課
renshuu schedule packs: N5 Grammar pack
JLPT N5 / Beginner: Grammar for Jumble Quizzes
User notes
0点
The nuance of てある can change depending on which particle you're using:
— with が it simply expresses a state resulting from an action done intentionally by someone
(e.g., ドアが開けてある。 = The door is open. [someone left it open]);
— with を it generally carries a nuance of preparation, much like ておく does
(e.g., 日本語の辞書を買ってある = I bought a Japanese dictionary. [bought it to get ready to study Japanese]).
Note that てある does not conjugate in the way that ておく does [ておく/ておいた/ておいて].
Besides, it can't be used to talk about preparatory actions that would be done in the future.
— with が it simply expresses a state resulting from an action done intentionally by someone
(e.g., ドアが開けてある。 = The door is open. [someone left it open]);
— with を it generally carries a nuance of preparation, much like ておく does
(e.g., 日本語の辞書を買ってある = I bought a Japanese dictionary. [bought it to get ready to study Japanese]).
Note that てある does not conjugate in the way that ておく does [ておく/ておいた/ておいて].
Besides, it can't be used to talk about preparatory actions that would be done in the future.
3 years ago

12点
It can help to keep in mind that this verb form closely corresponds to the passive present perfect simple form ("has been" + past participle) in English. They express the same things: a completed action and a current state of being for the subject of the clause.
For example:
壁に何かが書いてある ------> Something has been written on the wall.
For example:
壁に何かが書いてある ------> Something has been written on the wall.
11 years ago

18点
As an addendum to the note above, while が is most often used, は can also be used in its place depending on the situation.
Furthermore, since this grammar structure shows a current state, it is always written in the present tense.
Furthermore, since this grammar structure shows a current state, it is always written in the present tense.
13 years ago

38点
This structure basically turns a transitive verb into an intransitive one, so you always use the particle が (and not を) after the object of the sentence.
13 years ago

Discussion about this grammar

Years Studied: 7
Studying: 漢検2級
Level: 1,
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Studying: 漢検2級
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Site admin
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13 years ago

Level: 1,
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1点
13 years ago

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
1点
13 years ago

Level: 1,
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0点
13 years ago
Level: 1,
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4点
11 years ago (Edited 11 years ago.)

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
0点
11 years ago

Years Studied: 11 months
Studying: This site
Level: 1,
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Studying: This site
0点
11 years ago (Edited 11 years ago.)

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
0点
11 years ago

Years Studied: 11 months
Studying: This site
Level: 1,
好 : 357
Studying: This site
0点
11 years ago

Years Studied: since 2000
Studying: 自分のため、日本語教師だから
Level: 910,
好 : 4,992
Studying: 自分のため、日本語教師だから
7点
11 years ago (Edited 11 years ago.)

Years Studied: 11 months
Studying: This site
Level: 1,
好 : 357
Studying: This site
0点
11 years ago
Level: 1,
好 : 0
0点
7 years ago

Years Studied: 1年ぐらい
Studying: N5 + N4
Level: 1,
好 : 18
Studying: N5 + N4
0点
6 years ago (Edited 6 years ago.)