ている (te-iru) vs てある (te-aru)
What's the Difference?
Quick Answer
Use ている for actions done by the subject and てある for actions done by someone or something else. This distinction is key to understanding the difference. The subject's involvement determines the choice.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | ている (te-iru) | てある (te-aru) |
|---|---|---|
| JLPT | N4 | N4 |
| Formality | neutral | neutral |
| Subject involvement | The subject is directly involved in the action | The subject is not directly involved in the action |
| Action direction | The action is directed by the subject | The action is directed by someone or something else |
| State resulting from action | The state is a result of the subject's action | The state is a result of someone or something else's action |
ている (te-iru)
JLPT: N4 | Formality: neutral
- Subject involvement: The subject is directly involved in the action
- Action direction: The action is directed by the subject
- State resulting from action: The state is a result of the subject's action
てある (te-aru)
JLPT: N4 | Formality: neutral
- Subject involvement: The subject is not directly involved in the action
- Action direction: The action is directed by someone or something else
- State resulting from action: The state is a result of someone or something else's action
Example Sentences
ている (te-iru)
私は本を読んでいる
watashi wa hon o yonde iru
I am reading a book
彼女は料理を作っている
kanojo wa ryōri o tsukutte iru
She is cooking
彼は毎日走っている
kare wa mainichi hashitte iru
He runs every day
てある (te-aru)
ドアは開けてある
doa wa akete aru
The door is open
机は整理してある
tsukue wa seiri shite aru
The desk is organized
部屋はきれいに掃除してある
heya wa kirei ni sōji shite aru
The room is clean
Common Mistakes
- ⚠ Using ている for states resulting from actions done by others, which can lead to confusion about who is responsible for the action.
- ⚠ Using てある for actions in progress, which can change the meaning of the sentence entirely.
- ⚠ Not considering the subject's involvement when choosing between ている and てある, leading to incorrect verb forms.
Memory Tip
💡 Think of ている as 'I'm doing it' and てある as 'it's been done', this will help you remember the difference between the two.
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