Studying to distinguish the refined nuances between 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく is likely to be one of many largest complications for Japanese learners. Not solely do they give the impression of being related, however they’ll all serve an identical objective, too: these grammar patterns describe a state of affairs created by some intentional motion carried out up to now. Regardless of their similarities, every sample emphasizes or implies one thing completely different, similar to an motion being carried out in preparation of one thing, or remaining within the state the motion created.
To illustrate you often depart the window open at evening to let in some cool air. To inform somebody about this behavior, you should use both 〜ている, 〜てある, or 〜ておく and say:
- いつも夜は窓を開け [ている・てある・ておく] 。
- I often hold the window open at evening.
See how all of them describe the state of the open window, which was created by the motion of you opening the window? In that means, the three expressions can work very equally.
However what precisely is the distinction between these expressions, and the way would you select which one to make use of? The additional nuance that is implied by every is mirrored within the translations beneath, so verify them out to see what every sentence sounds wish to a local speaker.
- いつも夜は窓を開けている。
- I often hold the window open at evening.
- いつも夜は窓を開けてある。
- I often hold the window open at evening (so it will not get too sizzling).
- いつも夜は窓を開けておく。
- I often hold the window open at evening (in order that I will not have to fret about getting too sizzling and waking up in the midst of the evening).
So you’ll be able to see there are some refined variations within the nuance right here. However don’t fret if the excellence remains to be a bit hazy. The excellent news is that 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく aren’t all the time interchangeable. (No less than, we hope that is excellent news.) Just like the earlier instance sentences, every sample has its personal set of implications, making it higher suited to sure conditions than the others. This text will enable you be taught extra about these fundamental distinctions, so you’ll perceive the refined variations in nuance within the makes use of that overlap each other.
Conditions: This text assumes you already know hiragana and katakana. If it’s essential brush up, take a look at our Final Hiragana Information and Final Katakana Information. Though this text begins with a fundamental clarification of every grammatical sample, you may additionally wish to take a look at our grammar pages on 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく for a extra detailed background clarification on every expression, as this text focuses extra on deeper nuances. Moreover, data about transitive and intransitive verbs is a plus, since we’ll even be discussing transitivity with a view to clarify the variations between 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく.
The Primary Ideas of 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく
Let’s start by evaluating the fundamental ideas of 〜ている, 〜てある, and 〜ておく. We’ll get to some examples afterward, however listed below are the basic ideas behind every sample:
〜ている:
When linked to a verb, this expresses an ongoing motion or a steady state initiated by an motion up to now.
〜てある:
When linked to a verb, this describes the present state of one thing whereas typically hinting that the state of affairs was beforehand devised deliberately.
〜ておく:
When connected to a verb, this suggests the motion is taken to finish a job in preparation for one thing, with a view to “put” (the verb 置くmeans “to place”) it out of your thoughts. Relying on the tense, it might discuss with an motion you are going to take or have already taken. It may additionally denote the state of issues after finishing a job.
The important thing variations between the three are the nuance, the extent of intention, and whether or not the main focus is on the motion itself, or a state of affairs that’s the results of that motion. We’ll be discussing all these key variations all through the article, so don’t fret in case you are not getting it simply but.
Subsequent, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at how every sample works whereas making use of the ideas famous above.
ている
〜ている is the plainest and most impartial of the three patterns. It has two capabilities: it might describe a steady motion, or a state which is the results of a earlier motion. A method to consider it’s as expressing a type of “activation mode.” What 〜ている does is specific an ongoing state of affairs that is “activated” by one thing that occurred or that has began occurring. Let’s check out some examples of ~ている to see the way it works.
Describing Issues Which can be At present Taking place
First, let’s rapidly go over the way to use 〜ている to speak about one thing that is at the moment occurring. For instance, say you are working within the kitchen and your child is available in to ask what you are doing. On this situation, you would possibly say:
- 今、お弁当を作っている。
- I am making bento proper now.
This expression works equally to the current steady ( -ing ) in English, which reveals that an motion is going on concurrently it is being spoken about.
Right here, 〜ている is used to point that you’re within the means of “making a bento.” The implication is that it is nonetheless underway, however you’ve got already began the method. You began cooking, and so the act of cooking has been activated.
Additionally bear in mind that particle を is commonly omitted in dialog, however we’ll hold it on this article in order that the sentence construction is less complicated to know.
That is the most typical operate of 〜ている, however when used like this it might’t get replaced with 〜てある or 〜ておく.
Describing the Ensuing State Activated by a Previous Motion
Along with describing one thing that is at the moment occurring, 〜ている can be used to explain a state of affairs or situation that’s the product of a previous motion or occasion. On this use, 〜ている typically capabilities like an adjective as a result of it is used to explain the way in which one thing is.
To illustrate your child finds a bento field that is been left on the kitchen counter with the lid open. They inform you:
- お弁当のフタが開いているよ。
- The bento lid is open.
Discover that 〜ている is used in another way from the earlier instance. 開く is an intransitive verb meaning “to open,” however on this sentence the 〜ている kind it means “to be open,” slightly than “opening.”
〜ている typically capabilities like an adjective as a result of it is used to explain the way in which one thing is.
It is because the verb 開く often signifies an instantaneous change. As soon as the lid has begun to be opened, the “opened state” of the lid is “activated.” With verbs that change the state of one thing instantaneously like 開く, utilizing the 〜ている kind permits you to describe the state of one thing that resulted from the change as an alternative of an ongoing motion.
Why? As a result of with an intransitive verb like 開く, there isn’t any implication past the bento lid being open. It solely describes the bento lid being open, whereas not specializing in who carried out the motion. Bear in mind, 〜てある and 〜ておく all the time suggest that there’s intention or objective behind the motion being described. So with out this implication, you’ll be able to’t swap 〜てある or 〜ておく for 〜ている on this instance.
Describing the Ensuing State Activated by an “Intentional” Motion
Within the earlier part we coated that when used with an intransitive verb, 〜ている is not essentially interchangeable with 〜てある/〜ておく. It is because with intransitive verbs there isn’t any indication of the motion being described as intentional. However how a few transitive verb? Let’s check out one other instance, persevering with the bento situation.
Suppose you are leaving the bento lid open on objective. However since your child is commenting on it being open, you wish to inform them that it was deliberately left open in order that they do not shut it. So that you say:
- フタ、開けてるんだよ!
- I am leaving the lid open!
Right here, discover the verb is 開ける, which implies “to open one thing” — the transitive model of 開く that you just noticed earlier. With 〜ている, this sentence may imply you are “opening the lid” if that is what you’re at the moment doing — i.e. your hand is on the lid and about to take away it — but it surely’s clearly not the state of affairs right here. Quite, this can be a response to the query concerning the lid that is already been opened, so it describes the bento field being left open, which resulted out of your previous intentional motion of opening the bento and leaving it that means.
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 is not a typo — each kinds 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 slightly 〜ておいた, the previous tense). Meaning you would additionally use 〜てある or 〜ておく to elucidate that you just deliberately opened the lid and left it that means, 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’ll 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 remember 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 precipitated deliberately, typically for a selected objective.
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 means. That “somebody” can both be your self or another person, relying on the particle that precedes it.
It is also necessary 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 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 personal or another person’s motion. And there is a straightforward strategy to differentiate between the 2: every makes use of a distinct 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 personal motion. Bear in mind the bento instance from earlier? We talked about that you should use 〜てある to elucidate 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 few state of affairs brought on by your self.
On this instance, を marks the lid as the thing of the sentence. Which means the doubtless topic, though not clearly said, is the speaker, or 私 that means “I,” which may be understood from the context.
Let’s keep on the bento-making situation for one more instance. Making an attempt to consider one thing that can pair properly with the bento for dessert, you keep in mind that to procure 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 which you can 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 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 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 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 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 similar, the distinction is in the usage of particles.
This would possibly really feel tough, 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 much 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’re describing the state of affairs type of objectively as a result of you weren’t concerned within the motion — another person was. And similar 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 similar 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 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 should not legitimate sentences — truly, these sound like yogurt is the topic who’s shopping for (one thing). It would be tremendous bizarre except the particular person’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’re finishing a job for future comfort in an effort to “put” it out of your thoughts. Alternatively, 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 to this point. 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, when you’re at the moment within the course of of creating a bento and resolve 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 depart 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 necessary 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 specific that you just’re doing this to your future comfort.
On this case, you wish to let the steam out to stop it from getting musty contained in the bento field.
You is likely to 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 when you consider it like this. 〜ておく comes from the verb 置く that means “to place.” Similar to another motion verb, when used within the current tense, it might point out a future motion, along with a common act or a behavior.
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 slightly 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 to 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’ll do one thing with a view to “get it carried out,” 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
Up to now, 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 convey again the earlier instance of leaving the bento field lid open. To say you left it open, it’s essential 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 focus is extra in your previous motion (opening the lid), however it might additionally point out the present state ensuing from the motion (the lid is left open), relying on the context.
Now, keep in mind 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 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 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 all the time implies that you just 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, possibly you felt you wanted to have a backup bento filler and to serve the aim to procure 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 Recurring 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 routine motion. Bear in mind, the foundation of 〜ておく is the motion verb 置く (“to place”), and motion verbs when used within the current tense can specific a common act or behavior of doing one thing, not solely a future motion. Let’s check out another 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 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 routine motion or one thing you do usually for a motive. 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 to your future comfort. On this case, possibly you retain the window open so you will not have to fret about getting too sizzling and waking up in the midst of the evening. Or, possibly as a result of your youngsters fantasize about Peter Pan coming by way of the window and taking them to Neverland.
Regardless of the motive, 〜ておく implies that no matter you are describing is one thing you wish to get out of the way in which.
In any case, you don’t need your youngsters waking you up in the midst of the evening and complaining that you just did not depart the window open for Peter Pan, you understand?
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 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 primarily 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 once they can be utilized interchangeably? Let’s discover out by going by way of just a few examples and evaluating the nuances.
Totally different Ranges of Intention
expresses intention much less < expresses intention extra |
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---|---|---|---|
ている | てある | ておく |
One of many primary variations in nuance between 〜ている (or slightly, 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 ingredient of bento.
ご飯を 炊い [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 炊く. So what precisely is the distinction in nuance once we use every completely different sample?
〜ている
Let’s check out ご飯を 炊いてる. 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 elucidate what you are at the moment doing — means you’re in the midst of cooking rice. (Word that 〜てある and 〜ておく can’t be used to specific an motion that’s at the moment underway.)
The opposite attainable that means of this sentence is:
- ご飯を炊いてる。
- The rice is cooked.
Do not forget 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 can 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, 炊く is a transitive verb, and “rice being cooked” will not occur by itself (somebody’s gotta cook dinner rice, you understand?) so technically talking there may be some implication of this right here. Nevertheless, in comparison with the opposite two patterns, 〜ている would 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 means for a motive.
- ご飯を炊いてある。
- The rice is cooked (for a motive).
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 motive.” This model is often used if you wish to draw consideration to one thing you’ve got carried out and particularly left that means. In different phrases, this virtually seems like a heads-up or the explanation for issues being the way in which they’re.
The explanation might be for making onigiri, or no matter different motive you would possibly cook dinner rice. Implying that there is a motive 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 offers off the vibe of doing one thing upfront 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 upfront 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.
Possibly 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 youngsters 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 slightly 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 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 type 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 focus is definitely in your motion slightly 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 to 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 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 relies on the context, however understanding the place the emphasis lies for every sample ought to enable you get the gist of the variations in nuance a little bit higher.
Mainly, the primary 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 type of impartial and will concentrate on both relying on the context.
situation-focused ⇔ action-focused |
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てある | ている | ておく |
Here is an instance to elaborate on what this implies. To illustrate 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 (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 basis verb ある means “to exist,” so it is used to explain the way in which issues are slightly than the motion that precipitated the state of affairs.
Right here, 〜てある is describing the state of affairs, slightly than the motion that precipitated 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 is likely to 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 discuss with an motion, particularly steady motion. We’ll discuss 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 focus 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,” similar to what you are at the moment 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 focus 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 will get pleasure from them)!
Which means 〜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 is likely to be good to consider this from the standpoint of the foundation verb 置く(to place) as effectively. 置く is an motion verb, or a verb that signifies an motion — “placing.” In contrast, 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 enable you keep in mind 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 discovered to this point.
Say you are on the park speaking to a different guardian whereas your youngsters are enjoying. Nevertheless it’s awkward. You want some excuse to depart so that you casually drop in one thing about your every 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 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 see that 〜ておく isn’t up to now tense right here but it surely works fantastic since you’re speaking a few common behavior. Now, let’s take a more in-depth 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 often have the bathtub prepared by 6 p.m.
I often run a sizzling bathtub by 6 p.m.
In the identical vein as describing what you are at the moment doing, 〜ている can be used to explain your habits, as a result of a behavior is one thing you do usually (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 usually
Bear in mind how 〜ている may be situation-focused and action-focused? This explicit instance truly feels a bit obscure by way of the main focus as a result of it is a mixture of each: 〜ている describing a routine 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 might 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 solely explaining your behavior of getting the bathtub prepared by 6 p.m. Descriptive and simple, 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 bathtub prepared by 6 p.m. (for a motive).
Right here, 〜てある is describing the every day state of affairs that you just often have the bathtub prepared and stuffed by 6 p.m. As a result of 〜てある is situation-focused, slightly 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 motive, which is likely to be type of apparent on this case — for you or your loved ones to take a shower. Possibly you may have it prepared by 6 p.m. since you wish 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 motive.
〜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 bathtub 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 routine motion of working the bathtub and having it prepared by 6 p.m., emphasizing that you just achieve this to 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 just carry out the motion so that you’re carried out with the duty and you’ll put it out of your thoughts. Possibly your associate comes residence at 6:01 and takes a shower at 6:02 day by day. You’d wish to mark off this job of your to-dos in order that you do not fear about messing up their every 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 depart it right here so you’ll be able to put it apart and course of what you discovered.
Hopefully, you may have a good suggestion of how all three kinds differ, and the implications behind utilizing them to speak about one thing you are at the moment doing or do usually, the present state of issues, or one thing you ready upfront to your future comfort.
Like many phrases in Japanese, quite a bit can rely upon the context. However the extra you apply, the extra progress you will make in mastering these kinds!