japanese.tips

〜てある vs 〜ている

〜てある attaches to transitive verbs to express a resulting state deliberately brought about by an intentional human action, often as preparation. 〜ている with intransitive verbs describes an existing continuous state or natural condition without highlighting who performed the action or why. Swapping them changes the emphasis from a purposeful preparation to a simple description of an ongoing state.

〜てある has been done (and remains so)

部屋(へや)を涼(すず)しくするために、窓(まど)が開(あ)けてあります。

The window has been opened intentionally to cool the room.

黒板(こくばん)に今日(きょう)の予定(よてい)が書(か)いてあります。

Today's schedule has been written on the blackboard.

〜ている is doing; is in the state of having done

風(かぜ)が強(つよ)いので、窓(まど)が開(あ)いています。

The window is open because the wind is strong.

ノートに名前(なまえ)が書(か)いています。

The name is written in the notebook.