～てある
Something was done and remains that way
You'll be able to describe a present state that someone intentionally created for a purpose.
テーブルにお皿が並べてあります。
teeburu ni osara ga narabete arimasu.
What do you think this sentence means?
Plates have been laid out on the table.
Notice a prepared state
～てある describes a state left by someone’s intentional action. The person may be unmentioned; the useful result is what matters now.
窓が開けてあります。
mado ga akete arimasu.
The window has been left open.
Form and use ～てある
The prepared thing commonly takes が or は: 窓が開けてある. Use a transitive verb for the action someone performed. ～ている can describe a state without implying deliberate preparation.
窓が開けてあります。
mado ga akete arimasu.
The window has been left open.
地図に道が書いてあります。
chizu ni michi ga kaite arimasu.
The route has been marked on the map.
A state versus a prepared result
Both describe an open window, but only one foregrounds someone’s intention.
開いている
窓が開いています。
mado ga aite imasu.
The window is open.
Reports an open state.
開けてある
窓が開けてあります。
mado ga akete arimasu.
The window has been left open.
Someone deliberately created the state.
会議室のドアに「使用中」と書いてあります。
kaigishitsu no doa ni "shiyouchuu" to kaite arimasu.
"In use" is written on the meeting room door.
冷蔵庫にビールが冷やしてありますよ。
reizouko ni biiru ga hiyashite arimasu yo.
There's beer chilling in the fridge.
ホテルの部屋には、もうタオルが置いてありました。
hoteru no heya ni wa, mou taoru ga oite arimashita.
Towels had already been put out in the hotel room.
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