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

You might need additionally seen wanting intently on the instance that the expression used is てる as an alternative of 〜ている. It isn’t a typo — each varieties are grammatically right. 〜ている is often 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 reasonably 〜ておいた, the previous tense). Meaning you would additionally use 〜てある or 〜ておく to clarify that you just deliberately opened the lid and left it that manner, like this:

フタ、開け [てある・ておいた] んだよ！

Why? The quick 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 triggered deliberately, typically for a specific objective.

Now on to 〜てある. To start with, 〜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 manner. That “somebody” can both be your self or another person, relying on the particle that precedes it.

It is also vital to notice that 〜てある is at all times used with a transitive verb, as a result of a transitive verb is a kind of verb that signifies an intentional motion.

〜を〜てある for a Scenario Attributable to 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 simple solution 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. Keep in mind the bento instance from earlier? We talked about that you should utilize 〜てある to clarify that you just 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 typically be omitted in spoken Japanese, this 〜を〜てある sample is the construction used when speaking a couple of state of affairs attributable to your self.

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

Let’s stick with it the bento-making state of affairs for one more instance. Making an attempt to think about one thing that can pair properly with the bento for dessert, you do not forget that you purchased some yogurt to have available for an event like this. On this case, you should utilize 〜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).

Keep in mind which you could additionally use 〜ている or 〜ておく to precise one thing comparable. We’ll speak about this in additional element afterward.

〜が〜てある For a Scenario Attributable to Somebody Else

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

Take for instance a state of affairs that is barely totally different from the earlier one — you come throughout some yogurt within the fridge when in search of a dessert for the bento. However on this case, you’re 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 should 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 equivalent, the distinction is in using particles.

This would possibly really feel tough, however here 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, nevertheless it simply provides the implication that the motion (“yogurt was purchased,” on this case) was carried out by somebody apart from you.

Identical to 〜がある, you’re describing the state of affairs form of objectively as a result of you weren’t concerned within the motion — another person was. And identical to ある typically expresses the sense of realization when it is paired with the topic marker が, 〜てある carries the nuance that you just 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 identical to ある typically expresses the sense of realization when it is paired with the topic marker が, 〜てある carries the nuance that you just 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) although it’s used with a transitive verb. And when it does that, it implies that somebody apart 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 totally 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 aren’t legitimate sentences — really, these sound like yogurt is the topic who’s shopping for (one thing). It might be tremendous bizarre except the individual’s identify was Yogurt (which would definitely be a twist).

ておく

〜ておく can serve two capabilities relying on the tense. Within the current tense, it appears you’re finishing a job for future comfort so that you could “put” it out of your thoughts. Then again, 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 bit of totally different from the opposite two patterns mentioned up to now. 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 long run completion of a job so you’ll be able to “put” it out of your thoughts.

For instance, in case you’re at present within the course of of constructing a bento and determine to go away the lid off to let some steam out, you should utilize 〜ておく and say:

• お弁当のフタを開けておく。
• I will 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 vital 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 have 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 wish to categorical that you just’re doing this on your future comfort.

On this case, you wish 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?” Effectively, it would assist in case you consider it like this. 〜ておく comes from the verb 置（お）く that means “to place.” Identical to another motion verb, when used within the current tense, it may possibly point out a future motion, along with a common 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 best way issues are reasonably 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 on your bento. You should use 〜ておく and say:

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

Right here, 〜ておく carries the nuance that you’ll do one thing to be able to “get it carried out,” or out of the best way. And once more, notice that it is the future motion or plan that you’re utilizing 〜ておく to explain.

ておいた For Accomplished Duties

Thus far, we have mentioned the variations within the nuance of 〜ておく within the current tense to speak a couple of future motion. Now let’s check out the way it’s used up to now tense (〜ておいた) to speak a couple of 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 convey again the earlier instance of leaving the bento field lid open. To say you left it open, you have to 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 may possibly 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 objective, you should utilize 〜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 may be described in an identical method utilizing 〜ている or 〜てある, let’s not neglect the particular nuance of 〜ておいた — it at all times implies that you just carried out an motion with the intention of inflicting the present state of affairs since you wished to get one thing out of the best way. On this case, possibly you felt you wanted to have a backup bento filler and to serve the aim you purchased some yogurt. So this stresses that you just purchased the yogurt in preparation for the long run. Because of this, 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 categorical within the current tense. In actual fact, relying on the context it can be used to precise a ordinary motion. Keep 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 categorical a common 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 often maintain the window open at night time.

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 repeatedly for a purpose. Nevertheless, there are refined variations in nuance between them.

Of the three, 〜ておく is definitely probably the most nuanced — it implies that you just did one thing on your future comfort. On this case, possibly you retain the window open so you will not have to fret about getting too scorching and waking up in the midst of the night time. Or, possibly as a result of your youngsters fantasize about Peter Pan coming via the window and taking them to Neverland.

Regardless of the purpose, 〜ておく implies that no matter you are describing is one thing you wish to get out of the best way.

In any case, you do not need your youngsters waking you up in the midst of the night time and complaining that you just did not go away the window open for Peter Pan, ?

Now that we have coated all of the fundamentals, within the subsequent part we’ll take a deeper have a look at how the nuance modifications 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 (often one thing intentional).

So, what precisely is the distinction in these conditions after they can be utilized interchangeably? Let’s discover out by going via just a few 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 predominant variations in nuance between 〜ている (or reasonably, 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 just’re cooking (or have cooked) rice as a result of it is a necessary component 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 prepare dinner” is 炊（た）く. So what precisely is the distinction in nuance once we use every totally different sample?

〜ている

Let’s check out ご飯を 炊（た）いてる. This sentence can really 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 potential translations — the current steady use of 〜ている to clarify what you are at present doing — means you’re in the midst of cooking rice. (Observe that 〜てある and 〜ておく can’t be used to precise an motion that’s at present underway.)

The opposite potential that means of this sentence is:

• ご飯を炊いてる。
• The rice is cooked.

Do not forget that 〜ている may also 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 upon the context of the dialog. Say your child requested a sandwich for lunch, and also you say this to inform them that you just already made rice. (Too late, kiddo!) That is when 〜ている is interchangeable with 〜てある or 〜ておいた.

By way of intention, 炊（た）く is a transitive verb, and “rice being cooked” will not occur by itself (somebody’s gotta prepare dinner rice, ?) so technically talking there may be some implication of this right here. Nevertheless, 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 just 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 manner for a purpose.

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

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 purpose.” This model is often used while you wish to draw consideration to one thing you have carried out and particularly left that manner. In different phrases, this virtually appears like a heads-up or the explanation for issues being the best way they’re.

The rationale could possibly be for making onigiri, or no matter different purpose you would possibly prepare dinner rice. Implying that there is a purpose 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 mainly 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 straightforward later. Now, do not forget, 〜ておく additionally provides 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 record. It is a very nuanced expression!

〜ておく additionally provides 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 record.

Possibly you began cooking the rice very first thing within the morning. It takes a while for rice to prepare 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 youngsters get up, you may not get an opportunity to rinse the rice and begin the rice cooker. So, excited about the precise course of, it is smart to prepare dinner it sooner reasonably than later so you will not have to fret about it not being prepared in time.

You could by no means have on condition that a lot thought to the logistics of cooking rice, or possibly it is already a stable routine of yours, however on this sense 〜ておく implies that you just 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 reasonably than the ensuing state of affairs — we’ll speak 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 bit of extra braggy, such as you’re implying, “I did this on your comfort, okay?”

Scenario-Centered vs Motion-Centered

One other level of distinction is whether or not the emphasis is on the motion, or the ensuing state or state of affairs attributable to 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 finally depends upon the context, however understanding the place the emphasis lies for every sample ought to enable you to get the gist of the variations in nuance a bit of 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 concentrate on 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. For instance you place strawberries within the bento as a result of that is your child’s favourite fruit. To ship this excellent news, you should utilize 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 totally different nuanced that means.

〜てある (Scenario-Centered)

• 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 foundation verb ある means “to exist,” so it is used to explain the best way issues are reasonably than the motion that triggered the state of affairs.

Right here, 〜てある is describing the state of affairs, reasonably than the motion that triggered it. In different phrases, it describes the state of the strawberries being within the bento. It is calling specific 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 definitely be situation-focused, however we additionally want to consider how 〜ている can be used to check with an motion, particularly steady motion. We’ll speak extra about this within the following part.

〜ている (Motion-Centered/Scenario-Centered)

• 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 may 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 attributable to the motion (ensuing state). On this specific instance, 〜ている can point out the “motion,” resembling what you are at present doing (“I am placing strawberries in as we converse”), or the state the place “strawberries are within the bento.”

〜ておく (Motion-Centered)

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 get pleasure from 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 attributable to 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 think about this from the viewpoint 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 is no categorical motion concerned; they merely point out the state of one thing. This would possibly enable you 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 holding the window open at night time, 〜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 have discovered up to now.

Say you are on the park speaking to a different dad or mum whereas your youngsters are taking part in. Nevertheless it’s awkward. You want some excuse to go away 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 often have the tub 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 see that 〜ておく shouldn’t be up to now tense right here nevertheless it works high-quality since you’re speaking a couple of common behavior. Now, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at how each works.

〜ている

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

In the identical vein as describing what you are at present doing, 〜ている can be used to explain your habits, as a result of a behavior is one thing you do on the whole (not simply an motion going down within the present second). On this case, it is also describing the ensuing state of the tub 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 on the whole

Keep in mind how 〜ている may be situation-focused and action-focused? This specific instance really 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 scorching 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 totally different from the opposite two? This 〜ている model is just explaining your behavior of getting the tub prepared by 6 p.m. Descriptive and easy, there’s not a lot further 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 often have the tub prepared by 6 p.m. (for a purpose).

Right here, 〜てある is describing the each day state of affairs that you just often have the tub prepared and stuffed by 6 p.m. As a result of 〜てある is situation-focused, reasonably than action-focused, the emphasis on this instance is on the tub and it being prepared and scorching. It additionally implies that there is a specific purpose, which may be type of apparent on this case — for you or your loved ones to take a shower. Possibly you’ve gotten it prepared by 6 p.m. since you prefer to take a shower after dinner. Or possibly 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 purpose.

〜ておく

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

〜ておく right here is describing your ordinary motion of working the tub and having it prepared by 6 p.m., emphasizing that you just achieve this on your future comfort. Keep 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 just carry out the motion so that you’re carried out with the duty and you may put it out of your thoughts. Possibly your accomplice comes house at 6:01 and takes a shower at 6:02 every single day. You’d wish 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 probability.

Beginning a New Behavior

We might 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 discovered.

Hopefully, you’ve gotten a good suggestion of how all three varieties differ, and the implications behind utilizing them to speak about one thing you are at present doing or do repeatedly, the present state of issues, or one thing you ready prematurely on your future comfort.

Like many phrases in Japanese, rather a lot can rely upon the context. However the extra you apply, the extra progress you may make in mastering these varieties!