JLPT N4 grammar comparison
〜てある "has been done (and remains so)" vs 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the 〜てある "has been done (and remains so)" lesson
〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state": たまま is a state left unchanged, often carelessly (開けたまま出かけた). てある suggests purpose.
From the 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state" lesson
〜てある "has been done (and remains so)": てある describes a state made on purpose (開けてある). まま describes a state that continued, often by neglect.
Side by side
〜てある "has been done (and remains so)"
te aru · JLPT N4
- Meaning
- A resulting state from someone's deliberate action; the agent is not mentioned.
- Formation
Transitive V-て + ある: 書いてある, 開けてある, 作ってあるThe object takes が (or は as topic): 名前が書いてある, 晩ご飯は作ってあるNegative: 〜てない / 〜てありませんPast: 〜てあった (a state that existed then)
壁に絵がかけてあります。
かべに えが かけてあります。
A picture has been hung on the wall.
ドアに名前が書いてある。
ドアに なまえが かいてある。
A name is written on the door.
〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"
ta mama · JLPT N4
- Meaning
- A state remains unchanged while another action happens (often something that should have been changed).
- Formation
V-た + まま: つけたまま, 開けたまま, 座ったままV-ない + まま: 何も食べないままNoun + のまま: 靴のまま, そのままな-adjective + なまま: きれいなまま; い-adjective + まま: 熱いまま
電気をつけたまま寝てしまった。
でんきを つけたまま ねてしまった。
I fell asleep with the light on.
窓を開けたまま出かけないでください。
まどを あけたまま でかけないでください。
Don't go out leaving the window open.
Full lesson on 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 〜てある "has been done (and remains so)" and 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"?
たまま is a state left unchanged, often carelessly (開けたまま出かけた). てある suggests purpose.
When do you use 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state" instead of 〜てある "has been done (and remains so)"?
てある describes a state made on purpose (開けてある). まま describes a state that continued, often by neglect.