Learn Minna no Nihongo Grammar – Lesson 30

Learn Minna no Nihongo Grammar – Lesson 30
Let’s study N5-level Japanese grammar, lesson by lesson, following the Minna no Nihongo textbook.

Lesson 30:
1. Vてあります：(describing a state resulting from an action, with transitive verbs)
• Meaning: The pattern「～てあります」describes the state of something as the result of an action someone did earlier for some purpose. It is normally used with transitive verbs, that is, verbs for actions people do.

• Usage:
1.1. N １ に N２ が V てあります: there is ~ somewhere
• Usage: Describes the state of a thing after something has been done to it, where the result still exists at the time of speaking and the speaker can see it. The focus is on the action and the purpose behind it.
• Examples:
壁に 地図が はってあります。
Kabe ni chizu ga hatte arimasu.
There is a map put up on the wall.
(implying that someone put the map on the wall for some purpose, and as a result there is now a map on the wall)

教室に テレビが 置いてあります。
Kyōshitsu ni terebi ga oite arimasu.
There is a TV set in the classroom.
(implying that someone put the TV in the classroom for some purpose, and as a result there is now a TV there)

これは私の本です。名前が書いてありますから。
Kore wa watashi no hon desu. Namae ga kaite arimasukara.
This is my book. My name is written in it.
(implying that I wrote my name in the book so it would not get mixed up with other people’s, and as a result my name is in it)

1.2. N２は N１に V てあります: as for ~, it is … somewhere
• Usage: the same meaning as above, but here the focus is on where the result is.
• Examples:
A：地図は どこですか。
Chizu wa dokodesu ka.
Where is the map?

B：地図は 壁に 張ってあります。
Chizu wa kabe ni watte arimasu.
The map is put up on the wall.

パスポートは 引き出しの中に しまってあります。
Pasupōto wa hikidashi no naka ni shimatte arimasu.
The passport is kept in the drawer

2. Vておきます
2.1. （～まえに）、～V ておきます: to do something in advance (as preparation)
• Usage: Describes an action done in advance to prepare for another action.
• Examples:
旅行の まえに、切符を 買っておきます。
Ryokō no mae ni, kippu wo katte okimasu.
Before travelling I will buy the tickets in advance.

パーティの まえに、部屋を 掃除しておきます。
Pāti no mae ni,heya wo sōjishite okimasu.
Before the party I will tidy the room in advance.

パーティの まえに、料理を 作っておいたほうがいいです。
Pāti no mae ni, ryōri wo tsukutte oita hō ga īdesu.
Before the party you should prepare the food in advance.

2.2. （～たら、）～V ておきます: to do something afterwards (once something has finished)
• Usage: Describes an action that needs to be done after something finishes
• Examples:
授業が 終わったら、電気を 消しておきます。
Jugyō ga owattara, denki wokeshite okimasu.
When the lesson finishes, I will turn off the lights.

パーティーが 終わったら、部屋を 片付けておきます。
Pātī ga owattara, heya wo ka tazukete okimasu.
When the party finishes, I will tidy the room.