Lesson 71 · A Resulting State: -아/어 있어요
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean · Lesson 71 · Grammar
A Resulting State: -아/어 있어요
Learn A Resulting State: -아/어 있어요 with form rules, natural examples, common mistakes, romanization, and six practice questions with answers.
Introduction / Review
-아/어 있어요 describes a state that remains after a change. A door opens and stays open; a person sits down and remains seated. Compare this with an action in progress, -고 있어요.
N = noun; V = action verb; A = descriptive verb. Romanization is a reading aid.
Today’s Grammar / Explanation
- Use a suitable intransitive/change-of-state verb: 열리다 → 열려 있어요; 닫히다 → 닫혀 있어요; 앉다 → 앉아 있어요.
- Keep the subject-object difference: 문이 열려 있어요 (the door is open) versus 제가 문을 열고 있어요 (I am opening the door).
- Some wearing/holding verbs use -고 있어요 for a continuing state: 옷을 입고 있어요. Do not turn every English “is …” into -아/어 있어요.
Examples
창문이 열려 있어요.
changmuni yeollyeo isseoyo
The window is open.
문이 닫혀 있어요.
muni datyeo isseoyo
The door is closed.
학생이 앉아 있어요.
haksaengi anja isseoyo
The student is seated.
친구가 문 앞에 서 있어요.
chinguga mun ape seo isseoyo
My friend is standing in front of the door.
벽에 사진이 붙어 있어요.
byeoge sajini buteo isseoyo
A photo is attached to the wall.
고양이가 누워 있어요.
goyangiga nuwo isseoyo
The cat is lying down.
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 18
-고 있어요
민수 씨는 안경을 쓰고 있어요.-고 있어요 is usually an action in progress — but for wearing (입다, 신다, 쓰다) it also describes the state.
Review Lesson 18 →LESSON 78
-아/어 놓다
손님이 오니까 문을 열어 놓았어요.Someone deliberately left it in that state, often for later.
Look ahead: Lesson 78 →LESSON 2
이/가 있어요
책상 위에 책이 있어요.있어요 alone says something exists. -아/어 있어요 describes the state it’s in.
Review Lesson 2 →LESSON 76
-아/어지다
갑자기 불이 꺼졌어요.-아/어지다 is the change happening. The state afterward is 꺼져 있어요.
Look ahead: Lesson 76 →| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어 있어요 | a state that remains after an action | 문이 열려 있어요, 앉아 있어요 |
| -고 있어요 | an action in progress | 문을 열고 있어요 |
| -고 있어요 (clothes) | wearing (a state) | 안경을 쓰고 있어요 |
| -아/어 놓았어요 | left it that way on purpose | 문을 열어 놓았어요 |
Common mistakes
The pattern is restricted by verb meaning. 먹어 있어요 is not the ordinary equivalent of “is eating.” Learn natural pairs: 앉아 있어요, 서 있어요, 열려 있어요. These describe a continuing state, not simply a past event.
Wearing clothes uses -고 있어요.
The door’s state → 열리다 + 아/어 있어요: 열려 있어요.
Being in a standing position is a state → 서 있어요.
Use the verb that describes the light itself: 켜지다 → 켜져 있어요.
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blank아이가 의자에 ______. (앉다)
Check answer
아이가 의자에 앉아 있어요.
A seated state → 앉아 있어요.
- Fill in the blank냉장고 문이 ______. 좀 닫아 주세요. (열리다)
Check answer
냉장고 문이 열려 있어요.
열리 + 어 있어요 → 열려 있어요.
- Choose the correct form저 사람은 모자를 (쓰고 있어요 / 써 있어요).
Check answer
쓰고 있어요
Wearing a hat → -고 있어요.
- Choose the correct form벽에 그림이 (걸려 있어요 / 걸고 있어요).
Check answer
걸려 있어요
The picture is hanging (a state) → 걸려 있어요.
- Find and fix the mistake버스에 사람들이 많이 서고 있어요.
Check answer
버스에 사람들이 많이 서 있어요.
Standing (a state) → 서 있어요.
- Say it in KoreanThe store is closed.
Check answer
가게 문이 닫혀 있어요.
닫히다 → 닫혀 있어요 (the door is in a closed state).
Today’s Key Point
Resulting state: -아/어 있어요; ongoing action: -고 있어요; check verb meaning and subject/object roles.
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