Resulting state 〜てある

Meaning

Describes a STATE resulting from someone's intentional action — "it has been ~ed (and is now in that state)". Always used with TRANSITIVE verbs.

Formation

[transitive verb te-form] + ある

Notes

Contrast with 〜ている: ている focuses on the action/actor; てある focuses on the RESULT being intentionally in place. The object takes が (not を): 窓が閉めてある "the window has been closed".

Examples

机（つくえ）の上（うえ）にメモが置（お）いてあります。

A memo has been left on the desk. (intentional placement)

Breakdown

つくえ机 desk の (modifier) うえ上 on に at メモ memo が (subject) おいてあります置いてあります has been placed

窓（まど）が開（あ）けてあります。

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

Breakdown

まど窓 window が (subject) あけてあります開けてあります has been opened

電気（でんき）がつけてあります。

The light has been turned on.

Breakdown

でんき電気 light が (subject) つけてあります has been turned on

壁（かべ）にポスターが貼（は）ってあります。

A poster is stuck on the wall.

Breakdown

かべ壁 wall に on ポスター poster が (subject) はってあります貼ってあります has been stuck

夕食（ゆうしょく）会（かい）の準備（じゅんび）がしてあります。

The dinner preparations have been made.

Breakdown

ゆうしょくかい夕食会 dinner party の (modifier) じゅんび準備 preparation が (subject) してあります has been done