Continuous State (-아/어 있다)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -아/어 있다 to describe a state that continues after an action has been completed.
- Attach -아/어 to the verb stem based on the final vowel.
- Add 있다 to indicate the state is currently maintained.
- Use only with verbs that imply a resulting state (e.g., sitting, wearing, opening).
Overview
Korean often differentiates between an action in progress and the resulting state after an action has been completed. This distinction is crucial for clear communication and often poses a challenge for learners accustomed to languages that might use a single form for both. The grammar pattern -아/어 있다 (romanization: -a/eo itda) is your primary tool for describing a resultant state – it signifies that an action occurred in the past, and its outcome or effect continues to exist in the present.
Think of -아/어 있다 as a linguistic snapshot. It captures the 'after' picture, not the 'during' video. For instance, if you see a door that is open, you use -아/어 있다 to describe its state: 문이 열려 있어요 (The door is open).
You are not describing the act of someone opening the door, but the fact that it was opened and remains open. This pattern predominantly pairs with intransitive verbs (verbs that do not take a direct object) or passive verbs, as these naturally describe conditions or states rather than actions being performed on something.
Understanding -아/어 있다 is fundamental to progressing beyond basic communication in Korean. It allows you to express nuanced ideas about the world around you – from the position of objects to the status of events – with native-like precision. It's about describing the condition something is in, as a consequence of a prior event.
How This Grammar Works
-아/어 있다 combines a verb stem with 있다 (to exist/be present) through an -아/어 connective. This 있다 isn't merely stating presence; it's confirming the persistence of the state derived from the verb. The entire construction acts as an adjective phrase or predicate, describing the subject's current condition.앉다 (antda, to sit). If someone 앉고 있다 (antgo itda), they are in the process of sitting down – their body is actively moving towards the chair. However, if someone 앉아 있다 (anja itda), they are seated – the action of sitting down is finished, and they are now in the state of being seated.- Intransitive Verbs: Verbs like
서다(seoda, to stand),눕다(nupda, to lie down),가다(gada, to go – in the sense of 'gone and there'). These verbs inherently describe states or movements that affect only the subject, making them ideal for-아/어 있다. - Passive Verbs: Verbs formed with suffixes like
-이/히/리/기-(e.g.,열다(yeolda, to open) →열리다(yeollida, to be opened)). When a passive verb combines with-아/어 있다, it describes the state resulting from an action performed on the subject by an external agent. For example,문이 열려 있어요(muni yeollyeo isseoyo) means "The door has been opened and remains open." The door isn't actively opening itself.
-아/어 있다 construction is always marked with the subject particles 이/가 (i/ga), as it is the entity in that state, not the object of an action. This highlights its focus on the subject's condition. The result is a grammatically complete and precise description of a present, sustained condition.Formation Pattern
-아/어 있다 follows the standard Korean vowel harmony rules, similar to forming the polite past tense or other -아/어 conjugations, but concludes with 있다 instead of 요 or other endings. The base verb stem is combined with either -아 or -어, followed by 있다. Here's a breakdown:
앉다 (to sit) | 앉아 있다 | 앉아 있어요 | 앉아 있습니다 |
가다 (to go) | 가 있다 | 가 있어요 | 가 있습니다 |
놓다 (to place) -> Passive 놓이다 | 놓여 있다 | 놓여 있어요 | 놓여 있습니다 |
서다 (to stand) | 서 있다 | 서 있어요 | 서 있습니다 |
눕다 (to lie down) | 누워 있다 | 누워 있어요 | 누워 있습니다 |
열리다 (to be opened) | 열려 있다 | 열려 있어요 | 열려 있습니다 |
준비되다 (to be prepared) | 준비되어 있다 / 준비돼 있다 | 준비되어 있어요 / 준비돼 있어요 | 준비되어 있습니다 / 준비돼 있습니다 |
ㅏ or ㅗ, you attach -아 있다. For verb stems ending in ㅏ (like 가다), ㅏ + 아 contracts to a single ㅏ, so 가아 있다 becomes 가 있다. For 오다 (to come), it becomes 와 있다 (came and is here/there).
앉다 (antda) → 앉 + 아 있다 → 앉아 있다 (anja itda, is seated)
가다 (gada) → 가 + 아 있다 → 가 있다 (ga itda, is gone/is there)
놓다 (nota, to place) is transitive. Its passive form is 놓이다 (noita, to be placed). 놓이다 → 놓이 + 어 있다 → 놓여 있다 (noryeo itda, is placed).
ㅏ or ㅗ, you attach -어 있다.
서다 (seoda, to stand) → 서 + 어 있다 → 서 있다 (seo itda, is standing). Note that 서 already ends in ㅓ, so it simply appends 있다.
눕다 (nupda, to lie down) is a ㅂ irregular verb. 눕 + 어 → 누워. So, 누워 있다 (nuwo itda, is lying down).
닫히다 (dathida, to be closed) → 닫히 + 어 있다 → 닫혀 있다 (dachyeo itda, is closed).
하다 (hada) typically transform 하다 to 해 있다. However, this is quite rare for active 하다 verbs because most are transitive and focus on an action being performed. It's primarily seen with passive 되다 verbs (verbs like 준비되다 (junbidoeda, to be prepared), 완성되다 (wansongdoeda, to be completed)) or 이다 (ida, to be) forms combined with adjectives/nouns to form a state.
준비되다 (junbidoeda) → 준비되어 있다 or contracted 준비돼 있다 (junbidoeeo itda/junbdwae itda, is prepared).
결혼하다 (gyeolhonhada, to marry) (as in the state of being married, not the act of marrying) can become 결혼해 있다 (gyeolhonhae itda, is married), though 결혼했다 (gyeolhonaetda, got married) and the context often suffice.
ㅂ irregular, ㄷ irregular) before applying the -아/어 rule. For instance, 듣다 (deutda, to listen) becomes 들리다 (deullida, to be heard) in its passive form, then 들려 있다 (deullyeo itda, is audible).
When To Use It
-아/어 있다 to describe someone in a specific pose or position where the action of getting into that position is complete.앉아 있다(anja itda): Is seated/sitting down (past action of sitting completed, now in the state of being seated).학생들이 의자에 앉아 있어요.(Haksaengdeuri euijae anja isseoyo.) - The students are seated on the chairs.서 있다(seo itda): Is standing (past action of standing up completed, now in the state of being upright).그는 문 옆에 서 있었어요.(Geuneun mun yeope seo isseosseoyo.) - He was standing next to the door.누워 있다(nuwo itda): Is lying down (past action of lying down completed, now in the state of being prone).아이가 침대에 누워 자고 있어요.(Aiga chimdaee nuwo jago isseoyo.) - The child is lying down and sleeping in bed.엎드려 있다(opdeuryeo itda): Is lying face down/prostrate.
열려 있다(yeollyeo itda): Is open (e.g., door, window).창문이 활짝 열려 있어요.(Changmuni hwaljjak yeollyeo isseoyo.) - The window is wide open.닫혀 있다(dachyeo itda): Is closed (e.g., door, window).가게 문이 닫혀 있었어요.(Gage muni dachyeo isseosseoyo.) - The store door was closed.켜져 있다(kyeojyeo itda): Is on/lit (e.g., light, TV, computer).방에 불이 켜져 있어요.(Bange buri kyeojyeo isseoyo.) - The light is on in the room.꺼져 있다(kkeojyeo itda): Is off/extinguished (e.g., light, TV, computer).컴퓨터가 꺼져 있었어요.(Keompyuteoga kkeojyeo isseosseoyo.) - The computer was off.놓여 있다(noryeo itda): Is placed/set.식탁 위에 책이 놓여 있어요.(Siktak wie chaegi noryeo isseoyo.) - A book is placed on the table.쌓여 있다(ssayeo itda): Is piled up/stacked.책상에 서류가 많이 쌓여 있어요.(Chaeksange seoryuga mani ssayeo isseoyo.) - A lot of documents are piled up on the desk.피어 있다(pieo itda): Is blooming/in bloom (flowers).정원에 예쁜 꽃들이 피어 있어요.(Jeongwone yeppeun kkotdeuri pieo isseoyo.) - Pretty flowers are blooming in the garden.
살아 있다(sara itda): Is alive/living.다행히 그 식물은 아직 살아 있어요.(Daenghinghi geu singmureun ajik sara isseoyo.) - Thankfully, that plant is still alive.남아 있다(nama itda): Remains/is left over.케이크가 조금 남아 있어요.(Keikeuga jogeum nama isseoyo.) - A little bit of cake is left over.버려져 있다(beoryeojyeo itda): Is discarded/thrown away (passive of버리다(beorida, to throw away)).길가에 쓰레기가 버려져 있었어요.(Gilgae sseuregiga beoryeojyeo isseosseoyo.) - Trash was discarded on the roadside.
가다 (to go) and 오다 (to come), -아/어 있다 indicates that someone or something has gone/come to a location and remains there.가 있다(ga itda): Is gone/is there.친구는 벌써 카페에 가 있어요.(Chinguneun beolsseo kapee ga isseoyo.) - My friend is already at the cafe (having gone there).와 있다(wa itda): Has come and is here/there.손님이 현관에 와 계세요.(Sonnimi hyeongwane wa gyeseyo.) - The guest has arrived and is at the entrance (honorific form of와 있다).
지쳐 있다(jichyeo itda): Is exhausted (passive of지치다(jichida, to get exhausted)).그는 오랜 여행으로 지쳐 있었어요.(Geuneun oraen yeohaengeuro jichyeo isseosseoyo.) - He was exhausted from the long trip.갇혀 있다(gachyeo itda): Is trapped/confined (passive of가두다(gaduda, to trap)).동물이 우리 안에 갇혀 있었어요.(Dongmuri uri ane gachyeo isseosseoyo.) - The animal was trapped inside the cage.
Common Mistakes
-아/어 있다 is a common hurdle for Korean learners. Many errors stem from applying English grammar conventions directly or confusing it with other continuous forms.-고 있다 (Progressive Action):있다, their meanings are fundamentally different. -고 있다 describes an ongoing action (theConjugation Table
| Verb | Stem | Vowel | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
앉다
|
앉
|
ㅏ
|
앉아 있다
|
|
입다
|
입
|
ㅣ
|
입어 있다
|
|
열다
|
열
|
ㅕ
|
열려 있다
|
|
쓰다
|
쓰
|
ㅡ
|
써 있다
|
|
하다
|
하
|
ㅏ
|
해 있다
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Common Usage |
|---|---|
|
앉아 있어요
|
앉아 있어요
|
|
켜져 있어요
|
켜져 있어요
|
Meanings
This grammar describes a state that resulted from a previous action and continues to exist in the present.
Resultant State
The state of an object or person after an action.
“창문이 닫혀 있어요.”
“꽃이 피어 있어요.”
Posture/Position
Describing someone's current physical position.
“의자에 앉아 있어요.”
“서 있어요.”
Possession/Wearing
Describing what someone is wearing or carrying.
“모자를 쓰고 있어요.”
“가방을 들고 있어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb-아/어 있다
|
앉아 있어요
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Verb-아/어 있다
|
안 앉아 있어요
|
|
Question
|
Verb-아/어 있나요?
|
앉아 있나요?
|
|
Past State
|
Verb-아/어 있었다
|
앉아 있었어요
|
|
Honorific
|
Verb-아/어 계시다
|
앉아 계세요
|
Formality Spectrum
문이 열려 있습니다. (General)
문이 열려 있어요. (General)
문이 열려 있어. (General)
문 열려 있네. (General)
The State Cycle
Posture
- 앉다 sit
Status
- 열다 open
Examples by Level
의자에 앉아 있어요.
I am sitting on the chair.
서 있어요.
I am standing.
문이 열려 있어요.
The door is open.
불이 켜져 있어요.
The light is on.
그는 모자를 쓰고 있어요.
He is wearing a hat.
창문이 닫혀 있어요.
The window is closed.
가방을 들고 있어요.
I am holding a bag.
꽃이 피어 있어요.
The flowers are blooming.
컴퓨터가 켜져 있는지 확인하세요.
Check if the computer is turned on.
그녀는 예쁜 드레스를 입고 있어요.
She is wearing a pretty dress.
책상 위에 책이 놓여 있어요.
A book is placed on the desk.
그들은 서로 마주 보고 있어요.
They are facing each other.
모든 준비가 완료되어 있어요.
Everything is prepared.
그는 안경을 끼고 있어요.
He is wearing glasses.
길이 막혀 있어요.
The road is blocked.
그림이 벽에 걸려 있어요.
The painting is hanging on the wall.
그 문제는 이미 해결되어 있어요.
That problem is already solved.
그의 이름이 명단에 적혀 있어요.
His name is written on the list.
그 건물은 굳게 잠겨 있어요.
The building is firmly locked.
그의 눈에는 눈물이 고여 있어요.
Tears are welling up in his eyes.
그들의 운명은 이미 정해져 있어요.
Their fate is already determined.
그 법안은 현재 계류되어 있어요.
The bill is currently pending.
그의 마음은 이미 닫혀 있어요.
His heart is already closed.
그 사실은 이미 알려져 있어요.
That fact is already known.
Easily Confused
Both involve verbs.
Both describe states.
Both describe states.
Common Mistakes
가고 있어요
가 있어요
앉고 있어요
앉아 있어요
열고 있어요
열려 있어요
입고 있어요
입고 있어요
닫고 있어요
닫혀 있어요
켜고 있어요
켜져 있어요
준비하고 있어요
준비되어 있어요
놓고 있어요
놓여 있어요
걸고 있어요
걸려 있어요
잠그고 있어요
잠겨 있어요
정하고 있어요
정해져 있어요
알고 있어요
알려져 있어요
계류하고 있어요
계류되어 있어요
Sentence Patterns
___에 ___이/가 앉아 있어요.
___이/가 ___에 놓여 있어요.
___이/가 켜져 있어요.
___이/가 이미 결정되어 있어요.
Real World Usage
어디야? 나 카페에 앉아 있어.
꽃이 예쁘게 피어 있어요.
준비되어 있습니다.
문이 잠겨 있어요.
음식이 준비되어 있어요.
컴퓨터가 켜져 있어요.
Check the Vowel
Not for All Verbs
Use with Passive
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use -아/어 있다 for furniture.
Use -고 있다 for wearing.
Use -아/어 있다 for electronics.
Use -아/어 있다 for sitting/standing.
Pronunciation
Linking
The '어' sound links to the following '있'.
Declarative
앉아 있어요↓
Statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '아/어 있다' as 'Action + Stay'. The action happened, and the result is staying.
Visual Association
Imagine a door that you just opened. You walk away, but the door stays open. That 'staying' is the -아/어 있다.
Rhyme
Action done, state stays, -아/어 있다 in many ways.
Story
Min-su sat on a chair (앉아 있다). He wore a hat (쓰고 있다). The door was open (열려 있다). He stayed like that for an hour.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room and describe 3 things using -아/어 있다.
Cultural Notes
Used frequently in service settings to describe availability.
Derived from the verb '있다' (to exist).
Conversation Starters
지금 어디에 앉아 있어요?
지금 무엇을 입고 있어요?
방에 불이 켜져 있나요?
그 문제가 해결되어 있나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
의자에 ___ 있어요. (앉다)
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
가고 있어요 (when meaning 'is gone').
있어요 / 앉아 / 의자에 / 학생이
입다
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Can -아/어 있다 be used for all verbs?
A: 문이 왜 안 열려요? B: ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises의자에 ___ 있어요. (앉다)
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
가고 있어요 (when meaning 'is gone').
있어요 / 앉아 / 의자에 / 학생이
입다
열다 - ?
Can -아/어 있다 be used for all verbs?
A: 문이 왜 안 열려요? B: ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises꽃이 ___ 있어요.
Select the progressive action:
컵이 깨고 있어요. (The cup is broken - state)
침대에 / 제 / 친구가 / 있어요 / 누워
The window is closed.
Match the base verb to the conjugated state form.
핸드폰이 ___ 있어요.
Choose the natural expression:
셔츠를 입어 있어요.
가방이 / 떨어져 / 바닥에 / 있어요
Is the AC on?
열쇠가 고리에 ___ 있어요.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, only verbs that imply a result.
No, -고 있다 is for actions in progress.
Use '안' or '-지 않다'.
Yes, use -아/어 있었다.
It can be used in all registers.
Use '해 있다'.
Yes, very common.
Yes, for posture.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estar + participio
Korean is more restrictive on verb types.
Être + participe passé
Korean uses a specific suffix.
Zustandspassiv
Korean conjugation is simpler.
-te iru
Korean distinguishes state/action more.
Ism al-maf'ul
Korean uses a verb auxiliary.
Zhe (着)
Korean conjugation is more complex.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Present Tense: The Polite 'Yo' Style (아/어/여요)
Overview Korean verbal conjugation might initially seem complex due to its multiple politeness levels and shifting endin...
Being & Having (있다/없다)
Overview In Korean, the verbs `있다` (itda) and `없다` (eopda) are fundamental for expressing both **existence** and **p...
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