V + -아/어 있다 – Be in a Resulting State (Intransitive/Passive State)
Meaning: Remain in the state of having done (sitting, standing, open, closed...)
Conjugation & Pattern
- Intransitive/Passive verb ending in ㅏ, ㅗ: + -아 있다 (앉다 -> 앉아 있다, 남다 -> 남아 있다)
- Intransitive/Passive verb ending in other vowels: + -어 있다 (서다 -> 서 있다, 눕다 -> 누워 있다, 열리다 -> 열려 있다, 켜지다 -> 켜져 있다)
Detailed Usage
Attached to intransitive posture/motion verbs or passive verbs (앉다, 서다, 눕다, 남다, 열리다, 닫히다, 놓이다) to describe a static state that continues after the initial action has taken place.
Example Sentences
- 1
귀여운 고양이가 창문 옆 의자에 조용히 앉아 있어요.
Gwiyeoun goyangiga changmun yeop uijae joyonghi anja isseoyo.
A cute cat is sitting quietly on the chair by the window.
- 2
수술을 한 지 오래되었지만 아직도 상처가 남아 있습니다.
Susureul han ji oraedoeeotjiman ajikdo sangcheoga nama itseumnida.
It has been a long time since the surgery, but the scar still remains.
- 3
약속 시간보다 일찍 도착해서 먼저 카페에 들어가 있을게요.
Yaksok siganboda iljjik dochakhaeseo meonjeo kapee deureoga isseulgeyo.
Since I arrived earlier than our appointment time, I will go inside the cafe and wait there.
Important Notes
Key distinctions: (1) With transitive verbs of wearing/holding (입다, 신다, 쓰다, 들다), use '-고 있다' (모자를 쓰고 있다), never '-아/어 있다'; (2) '-아/어 놓다' takes an object (창문을 열어 놓다), whereas '-아/어 있다' takes an intransitive/passive subject (창문이 열려 있다).
