JLPT N4 grammar
〜てある — Meaning & Examples
Transitive + てある = state resulting from deliberate action, and it takes が. 窓が開けてある = someone opened the window on purpose.
〜ている vs 〜てある — The State Left Behind
This is where the pairs really earn their keep.
自動詞 + ている = the current state, no comment on who caused it.
窓が開いている。
= The window is open. (just describing what I see)
電気がついている。
= The light is on.
他動詞 + てある = the state, and someone did it on purpose, and it was left that way.
窓が開けてある。
= The window has been opened (someone opened it deliberately — maybe to air the room).
ビールが冷やしてある。
= The beer has been chilled (someone put it in the fridge ready for us) 🍺
Note the particle: 〜てある takes が, even though the verb is transitive. This trips up almost everyone.
Compare all three:
ドアが開いている。 — The door is open. (neutral observation)
ドアが開けてある。 — The door has been left open. (deliberate, prepared)
ドアを開けている。 — Someone is opening the door. (action in progress)
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜てある. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "The light went out (by itself)" is?
- 電気を消した
- 電気が消えた
- 電気を消している
- 電気が消してある
Show answer
Answer: 電気が消えた
消える is the 自動詞 — it happens on its own, and takes が. 消す is the 他動詞: 電気を消した = I turned the light off.
2. 窓が開けてある implies what?
- The window happens to be open
- Someone deliberately opened it and left it that way
- Someone is opening the window right now
- The window will be opened
Show answer
Answer: Someone deliberately opened it and left it that way
他動詞 + てある = a state resulting from deliberate action. 開けてある = someone opened it on purpose. Compare 開いている = just describing that it is open.
3. Which particle does 〜てある take?
- を, because the verb is transitive
- が, even though the verb is transitive
- に
- で
Show answer
Answer: が, even though the verb is transitive
This catches almost everyone. 窓が開けてある — が, not を, despite 開ける being transitive.
Practise 〜てある in the free app
This point is part of the “🚪 Verb Pairs — 自動詞 & 他動詞” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: 🚪 Verb Pairs — 自動詞 & 他動詞
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜てある mean?
Transitive + てある = state resulting from deliberate action, and it takes が. 窓が開けてある = someone opened the window on purpose.
Is 〜てある on the JLPT N4 test?
〜てある is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “🚪 Verb Pairs — 自動詞 & 他動詞”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜てある?
Open the “🚪 Verb Pairs — 自動詞 & 他動詞” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.