〜ている (Teiru) vs 〜てある (Tearu) vs 〜ておく(Teoku)

You might need additionally seen trying carefully on the instance that the expression used is てる as a substitute of 〜ている. It is not a typo — each kinds are grammatically appropriate. 〜ている is normally shortened in informal conversations.

Out of the three makes use of of 〜ている, that is the one one which can be utilized interchangeably with 〜てある or 〜ておく (or moderately 〜ておいた, the previous tense). Which means you could possibly additionally use 〜てある or 〜ておく to clarify that you simply deliberately opened the lid and left it that approach, like this:

フタ、開け [てある・ておいた] んだよ！

Why? The brief reply is that this use of 〜ている implies an “intention” and you may inform that by the context. We’ll get right into a deeper comparability of ～ている, ～てある, and ～ておく in a bit, so for now, simply take into account that this very particular use of ～ている is the one one that may be interchangeable with the opposite two.

てある

〜てある signifies that the state of affairs was induced deliberately, usually for a specific function.

Now on to 〜てある. Initially, 〜てある describes the present state of one thing with the implication that somebody did one thing to it earlier and left it that approach. That “somebody” can both be your self or another person, relying on the particle that precedes it.

It is also essential to notice that 〜てある is all the time used with a transitive verb, as a result of a transitive verb is a sort of verb that signifies an intentional motion.

〜を〜てある for a State of affairs Brought on by Your self

As I briefly talked about, 〜てある can be utilized when describing a state of affairs that resulted from both your individual or another person’s motion. And there is a straightforward approach to differentiate between the 2: every makes use of a special particle.

Earlier than we actually get into the mechanics of issues, let’s circle again to utilizing 〜てある to explain a state of affairs that is the results of your individual motion. Bear in mind the bento instance from earlier? We talked about that you should use 〜てある to clarify that you simply opened the bento field and are leaving it open, like this:

• お弁当のフタを開けてある。
• I am leaving the lid of the bento field open.

Though を can usually be omitted in spoken Japanese, this 〜を〜てある sample is the construction used when speaking a few state of affairs brought on by your self.

On this instance, を marks the lid as the thing of the sentence. Which means that the possible topic, though not clearly said, is the speaker, or 私 that means “I,” which will be understood from the context.

Let’s keep on the bento-making situation for one more instance. Attempting to consider one thing that may pair properly with the bento for dessert, you do not forget that you acquire some yogurt to have readily available for an event like this. On this case, you should use 〜てある and say to your self:

• ヨーグルトを買ってある。
• There’s some yogurt (as a result of I purchased some).

Bear in mind that you may additionally use 〜ている or 〜ておく to specific one thing related. We’ll discuss this in additional element afterward.

〜が〜てある For a State of affairs Brought on by Somebody Else

One distinctive facet of 〜てある is how it may be used to explain a state of affairs that is brought on by another person.

Take for instance a state of affairs that is barely completely different from the earlier one — you come throughout some yogurt within the fridge when searching for a dessert for the bento. However on this case, you might be not the one who purchased it. You would possibly say one thing like:

• ヨーグルトが買ってある！
• There’s some yogurt (that somebody will need to have purchased)!

What 〜てある is doing right here is describing that the yogurt is within the fridge, whereas additionally implying that somebody (not you) purchased it earlier. Whereas the sentences are almost an identical, the distinction is in using particles.

This would possibly really feel difficult, however this is a tip. Take into consideration ある on the finish because the verb used for non-living issues’ existence. The verb ある pairs up with が and signifies “there may be…” proper? So ヨーグルトがある means “there’s some yogurt,” and that is simply describing what’s there objectively. ヨーグルトが買ってある is just like this, but it surely simply provides the implication that the motion (“yogurt was purchased,” on this case) was carried out by somebody moreover you.

Similar to 〜がある, you might be describing the state of affairs form of objectively as a result of you weren’t concerned within the motion — another person was. And similar to ある usually expresses the sense of realization when it is paired with the topic marker が, 〜てある carries the nuance that you simply got here to a realization, too. So ヨーグルトが買ってある hints that it was a shock to you (and it was a pleasant one).

And similar to ある usually expresses the sense of realization when it is paired with the topic marker が, 〜てある carries the nuance that you simply got here to a realization, too.

To summarize, 〜てある can take the particle が to mark one thing that is seemingly an object (“yogurt,” on this case) regardless that it’s used with a transitive verb. And when it does that, it implies that somebody aside from you carried out the motion that resulted within the state it describes. That is one thing distinctive to 〜てある, and what makes it completely different from 〜ている and 〜ておく. In different phrases, ヨーグルトが買っている or ヨーグルトが買っておく usually are not legitimate sentences — truly, these sound like yogurt is the topic who’s shopping for (one thing). It might be tremendous bizarre until the individual’s title was Yogurt (which will surely be a twist).

ておく

〜ておく can serve two capabilities relying on the tense. Within the current tense, it seems that you might be finishing a job for future comfort so that you could “put” it out of your thoughts. However, up to now tense, 〜ておいた denotes the state of a accomplished job.

ておく For Future Actions To Full Duties

Particularly used within the current tense, 〜ておく is a little bit completely different from the opposite two patterns mentioned thus far. Whereas 〜ている and 〜てある can be utilized to explain the present state of issues, 〜ておく signifies a future motion. Particularly, the longer term completion of a job so you’ll be able to “put” it out of your thoughts.

For instance, when you’re presently within the course of of creating a bento and determine to depart the lid off to let some steam out, you should use 〜ておく and say:

• お弁当のフタを開けておく。
• I am going to go away the lid of the bento field open (to let the steam out so I will not have to fret about it getting musty and spoiling).

It is a slight distinction that is essential to notice right here between utilizing 〜ておく within the current tense and the earlier examples with 〜ていく and 〜てある. The place they had been used to explain a state of affairs the place a bento field is left open deliberately, right here 〜ておく is indicating your (very close to) future plan of leaving the lid open.

You are utilizing 〜ておく since you need to specific that you simply’re doing this in your future comfort.

On this case, you need to let the steam out to forestall it from getting musty contained in the bento field.

You may be questioning “Why does 〜ておく point out a future motion, not the present state of one thing like 〜ている and 〜てある?” Nicely, it would assist when you consider it like this. 〜ておく comes from the verb 置（お）く that means “to place.” Similar to some other motion verb, when used within the current tense, it could actually point out a future motion, along with a normal act or a behavior.

As compared, take into consideration 〜ている and 〜てある, and their roots — the verbs いる and ある. These verbs are a bit particular, differing barely from common motion verbs in that they point out the existence of issues, or describe the way in which issues are moderately than one thing that wants “doing.” Hopefully, that helps you higher perceive how 〜ておく works within the current tense.

Now, let’s check out one other instance. Say you are on the grocery retailer to purchase yogurt in your bento. You should use 〜ておく and say:

• ヨーグルトを買っておく。
• I am going to purchase some yogurt (so as to add to my bento).

Right here, 〜ておく carries the nuance that you will do one thing with a view to “get it achieved,” or out of the way in which. And once more, observe that it is the future motion or plan that you’re utilizing 〜ておく to explain.

ておいた For Accomplished Duties

To date, we have mentioned the variations within the nuance of 〜ておく within the current tense to speak a few future motion. Now let’s check out the way it’s used up to now tense (〜ておいた) to speak a few present state of affairs that’s the direct results of an motion carried out up to now, i.e. one thing you took care of up to now that resulted within the current state of issues.

Let’s deliver again the earlier instance of leaving the bento field lid open. To say you left it open, that you must conjugate 〜ておく to the previous tense and say ^:

• お弁当のフタを開けておいた。
• I left the lid of the bento field open (to let the steam out so I will not have to fret about it getting musty and spoiling).

On this case, the main target is extra in your previous motion (opening the lid), however it could actually additionally point out the present state ensuing from the motion (the lid is left open), relying on the context.

Now, do not forget that yogurt from earlier than? If you wish to point out that there is some yogurt for the bento since you purchased it earlier for that function, you should use 〜ておいた and say:

• ヨーグルトを買っておいた。
• I’ve purchased some yogurt (for bento making).

Though these conditions will be described in the same method utilizing 〜ている or 〜てある, let’s not neglect the particular nuance of 〜ておいた — it all the time implies that you simply carried out an motion with the intention of inflicting the present state of affairs since you needed to get one thing out of the way in which. On this case, perhaps you felt you wanted to have a backup bento filler and to serve the aim you acquire some yogurt. So this stresses that you simply purchased the yogurt in preparation for the longer term. In consequence, out of the three patterns 〜ておいた most strongly implies your intention behind the motion.

ておく For Ordinary Actions To Full Duties

Earlier, we talked about how 〜ておく can be utilized to explain a future motion, however that is not the one factor 〜ておく can specific within the current tense. In reality, relying on the context it can be used to specific a ordinary motion. Bear in mind, the basis of 〜ておく is the motion verb 置（お）く (“to place”), and motion verbs when used within the current tense can specific a normal act or behavior of doing one thing, not solely a future motion. Let’s check out yet one more instance of ～ておく within the current tense, bringing again the primary instance on this article, the window:

• いつも夜は窓を開けておく。
• I normally hold the window open at evening.

As you noticed beforehand on this instance, ～ている, ～てある, and ～ておく can be utilized interchangeably within the current tense to explain a ordinary motion or one thing you do frequently for a cause. Nonetheless, there are delicate variations in nuance between them.

Of the three, 〜ておく is definitely essentially the most nuanced — it implies that you simply did one thing in your future comfort. On this case, perhaps you retain the window open so you will not have to fret about getting too sizzling and waking up in the course of the evening. Or, perhaps as a result of your children fantasize about Peter Pan coming by means of the window and taking them to Neverland.

Regardless of the cause, 〜ておく implies that no matter you are describing is one thing you need to get out of the way in which.

In any case, you do not need your children waking you up in the course of the evening and complaining that you simply did not go away the window open for Peter Pan, ?

Now that we have lined all of the fundamentals, within the subsequent part we’ll take a deeper have a look at how the nuance adjustments with every sample relying on the state of affairs.

So…What is the Distinction In Conditions When They’re All Interchangeable?

Now let’s lastly get into the comparisons of the three patterns: 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく. As a fast assessment, they’re basically interchangeable when used to explain the present state of one thing that resulted from a previous motion (normally one thing intentional).

So, what precisely is the distinction in these conditions once they can be utilized interchangeably? Let’s discover out by going by means of a number of examples and evaluating the nuances.

Totally different Ranges of Intention

expresses intention much less < expresses intention extra
ている	てある		ておく

One of many essential variations in nuance between 〜ている (or moderately, its shortened model てる), 〜てある, and 〜ておく is the extent of intention.

For the primary instance, let’s return to bento once more. Say that you simply’re cooking (or have cooked) rice as a result of it is an important aspect of bento.

ご飯を 炊（た）い [てる・てある・ておいた] 。

Damaged down, ご飯 is “rice,” and the verb paired with it that means “to cook dinner” is 炊（た）く. So what precisely is the distinction in nuance after we use every completely different sample?

〜ている

Let’s check out ご飯を 炊（た）いてる. This sentence can truly be interpreted in a few methods. The primary is:

• ご飯を炊いてる。
• I am cooking rice.

This is without doubt one of the attainable translations — the current steady use of 〜ている to clarify what you are presently doing — means you might be in the course of cooking rice. (Be aware that 〜てある and 〜ておく can’t be used to specific an motion that’s presently underway.)

The opposite attainable that means of this sentence is:

• ご飯を炊いてる。
• The rice is cooked.

Keep in mind that 〜ている can even denote the ensuing state of an motion, i.e. the state of the rice that’s already cooked. So how are you aware when it means what? That may rely on the context of the dialog. Say your child requested a sandwich for lunch, and also you say this to inform them that you simply already made rice. (Too late, kiddo!) That is when 〜ている is interchangeable with 〜てある or 〜ておいた.

When it comes to intention, 炊（た）く is a transitive verb, and “rice being cooked” will not occur by itself (somebody’s gotta cook dinner rice, ?) so technically talking there may be some implication of this right here. Nonetheless, in comparison with the opposite two patterns, 〜ている does not emphasize the intentional nuance as a lot. So this model with 〜ている sounds such as you’re simply merely stating that you simply cooked the rice and the rice is prepared.

〜てある

Now, what about 炊（た）いてある? As a fast reminder, 〜てある describes a state of affairs the place you probably did one thing and also you left it that approach for a cause.

• ご飯を炊いてある。
• The rice is cooked (for a cause).

In comparison with 〜ている, the 〜てある model has a stronger and clearer indication of the intention behind the state of affairs being described, as in case you are saying, “I cooked rice for a cause.” This model is usually used while you need to draw consideration to one thing you’ve got achieved and particularly left that approach. In different phrases, this virtually appears like a heads-up or the explanation for issues being the way in which they’re.

The explanation could possibly be for making onigiri, or no matter different cause you would possibly cook dinner rice. Implying that there is a cause for it naturally provides a extra intentional nuance, particularly in comparison with 〜ている. In that sense, this might make a fair stronger assertion to your child who requested a sandwich on the final minute.

〜ておく

Lastly, 〜ておいた carries the strongest stage of intention. To remind you, 〜ておく principally signifies the act of doing one thing for future comfort.

• ご飯を炊いておいた。
• I cooked the rice (for future comfort).

So this sentence sounds such as you cooked the rice to make issues simple later. Now, do not forget, 〜ておく additionally offers off the vibe of doing one thing prematurely so you’ll be able to put it out of your thoughts — such as you’re going forward and marking a job off of your to-do checklist. It is a very nuanced expression!

〜ておく additionally offers off the vibe of doing one thing prematurely so you’ll be able to put it out of your thoughts — such as you’re going forward and marking a job off of your to-do checklist.

Perhaps you began cooking the rice very first thing within the morning. It takes a while for rice to cook dinner, and it’ll take a while for it to chill down so you’ll be able to pack it within the bento. As soon as your children get up, you won’t get an opportunity to rinse the rice and begin the rice cooker. So, excited about the precise course of, it is smart to cook dinner it sooner moderately than later so you will not have to fret about it not being prepared in time.

You might by no means have provided that a lot thought to the logistics of cooking rice, or perhaps it is already a strong routine of yours, however on this sense 〜ておく implies that you simply had a thought course of and there was some form of planning concerned. This provides extra of the “intention” nuance in comparison with the opposite two patterns.

What’s extra, with 〜ておく the main target is definitely in your motion moderately than the ensuing state of affairs — we’ll discuss extra about this within the following part. This sample stresses your contribution, whereas the opposite two spotlight the truth that rice is cooked. So utilizing 〜ておく emphasizes your intention barely greater than 〜てある and may even sound a little bit extra braggy, such as you’re implying, “I did this in your comfort, okay?”

State of affairs-Targeted vs Motion-Targeted

One other level of distinction is whether or not the emphasis is on the motion, or the ensuing state or state of affairs brought on by that motion. You might need seen the slight distinction within the earlier instance translations — “the rice is cooked” and “I cooked the rice.” Technically talking, this in the end is determined by the context, however figuring out the place the emphasis lies for every sample ought to provide help to get the gist of the variations in nuance a little bit higher.

Mainly, the principle distinction is that 〜てある focuses on the results of the motion (“the rice is cooked”) whereas 〜ておく focuses on the motion itself (“I cooked the rice”), and 〜ている is form of impartial and will deal with both relying on the context.

situation-focused ⇔ action-focused
てある	ている		ておく

This is an instance to elaborate on what this implies. As an instance you set strawberries within the bento as a result of that is your child’s favourite fruit. To ship this excellent news, you should use any of the three: 〜ている (or its shortened, extra natural-sounding model 〜てる), 〜てある, or 〜ておく:

お弁当にいちごを入れ [てる・てある・ておいた] よ！

Now let’s check out how every of those patterns can have a barely completely different nuanced that means.

〜てある (State of affairs-Targeted)

• お弁当にいちごを入れてあるよ！
• There are strawberries within the bento (since you like strawberries)!

The basis verb ある means “to exist,” so it is used to explain the way in which issues are moderately than the motion that induced the state of affairs.

Right here, 〜てある is describing the state of affairs, moderately than the motion that induced it. In different phrases, it describes the state of the strawberries being within the bento. It is calling explicit consideration to the strawberries, so the implication of you placing them there takes a again seat to the strawberries themselves on this case.

Now, you may be questioning about 〜ている as a result of its root verb additionally means “to exist.” It may well definitely be situation-focused, however we additionally want to consider how 〜ている can be used to discuss with an motion, particularly steady motion. We’ll discuss extra about this within the following part.

〜ている (Motion-Targeted/State of affairs-Targeted)

• お弁当にいちごを入れてるよ！
• I’m placing strawberries within the bento!
  There are strawberries within the bento!

〜ている will be each situation-focused and action-focused, and the main target varies relying on the context. It is because 〜ている has two main capabilities — one which emphasizes the motion itself (steady motion), and one which focuses on the state of affairs brought on by the motion (ensuing state). On this explicit instance, 〜ている can point out the “motion,” comparable to what you are presently doing (“I am placing strawberries in as we converse”), or the state the place “strawberries are within the bento.”

〜ておく (Motion-Targeted)

We talked about that the main target of 〜ておく is on the motion itself, which on this case is “placing strawberries within the bento.”

• お弁当にいちごを入れておいたよ！
• I put strawberries within the bento (as a result of I do know you may take pleasure in them)!

Which means that 〜ておく is used to speak about an motion taken with the intention of making a sure state of affairs, whereas 〜ている and 〜てある describe the state of affairs that is brought on by the motion.

〜ておく is used to speak about an motion taken with the intention of making a sure state of affairs

It may be good to consider this from the standpoint of the basis verb 置（お）く(to place) as properly. 置（お）く is an motion verb, or a verb that signifies an motion — “placing.” Against this, the verbs いる and ある are stative verbs that means “to exist.” There isn’t any specific motion concerned; they merely point out the state of one thing. This would possibly provide help to do not forget that 〜ておく is extra “action-focused” whereas the opposite two are “situation-focused,” describing how issues are as the results of the motion.

Speaking About Your Habits

Like we talked about earlier within the instance about maintaining the window open at evening, 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく can be utilized interchangeably to speak about your habits. So let’s check out the ultimate nuance, evaluating the three patterns when speaking about habits, after which assessment what you’ve got realized thus far.

Say you are on the park speaking to a different mum or dad whereas your children are enjoying. However it’s awkward. You want some excuse to depart so that you casually drop in one thing about your each day schedule and say:

• いつも、６時にはお風呂をわかし [てる・てある・ておく] んだ。
• I normally have the bathtub prepared by 6 p.m.

Once more, all three patterns are interchangeable right here, however with a really slight distinction in nuance between 〜ておく and 〜てある. Oh, and spot that 〜ておく will not be up to now tense right here but it surely works nice since you’re speaking a few normal behavior. Now, let’s take a better have a look at how every one works.

〜ている

• いつも、６時にはお風呂をわかしてるんだ。
• I normally have the bathtub prepared by 6 p.m.
  I normally run a sizzling tub by 6 p.m.

In the identical vein as describing what you are presently doing, 〜ている can be used to explain your habits, as a result of a behavior is one thing you do normally (not simply an motion happening within the present second). On this case, it is also describing the ensuing state of the bathtub being prepared by 6 p.m., so it is interchangeable with 〜てある and 〜ておく.

〜ている can be used to explain your habits, as a result of a behavior is one thing you do normally

Bear in mind how 〜ている will be situation-focused and action-focused? This explicit instance truly feels a bit obscure by way of the main target as a result of it is a mixture of each: 〜ている describing a ordinary motion in addition to the ensuing state of affairs. In that sense, this sentence leaves it unclear whether or not you begin working sizzling water by 6 p.m. otherwise you have it prepared by 6 p.m. — It could possibly be interpreted in each methods.

And, how else is that this use of 〜ている completely different from the opposite two? This 〜ている model is just explaining your behavior of getting the bathtub prepared by 6 p.m. Descriptive and easy, there’s not a lot additional nuance to it in comparison with the opposite two.

〜てある

• いつも、６時にはお風呂をわかしてあるんだ。
• I normally have the bathtub prepared by 6 p.m. (for a cause).

Right here, 〜てある is describing the each day state of affairs that you simply normally have the bathtub prepared and crammed by 6 p.m. As a result of 〜てある is situation-focused, moderately than action-focused, the emphasis on this instance is on the bathtub and it being prepared and sizzling. It additionally implies that there is a explicit cause, which may be sort of apparent on this case — for you or your loved ones to take a shower. Perhaps you might have it prepared by 6 p.m. since you prefer to take a shower after dinner. Or perhaps to let your pet capybaras soak and swim in it. Who is aware of, however 〜てある implies you probably did it for a cause.

〜ておく

• いつも、６時にはお風呂をわかしておくんだ。
• I normally have the bathtub prepared by 6 p.m. (so I will not have to fret concerning the tub not being prepared by the point somebody wants it).

〜ておく right here is describing your ordinary motion of working the bathtub and having it prepared by 6 p.m., emphasizing that you simply achieve this in your future comfort. Bear in mind, 〜ておく is action-focused so it places an emphasis on the motion you carry out.

The nuance of 〜ておく is that you simply carry out the motion so that you’re achieved with the duty and you may put it out of your thoughts. Perhaps your accomplice comes dwelling at 6:01 and takes a shower at 6:02 day-after-day. You’d need to mark off this job of your to-dos in order that you do not fear about messing up their each day schedule by any likelihood.

Beginning a New Behavior

We may most likely put together 100 extra examples that will help you grasp the nuanced variations between 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく, however for now let’s go away it right here so you’ll be able to put it apart and course of what you realized.

Hopefully, you might have a good suggestion of how all three kinds differ, and the implications behind utilizing them to speak about one thing you are presently doing or do frequently, the present state of issues, or one thing you ready prematurely in your future comfort.

Like many phrases in Japanese, loads can rely on the context. However the extra you observe, the extra progress you may make in mastering these kinds!