What it means
-아/어 있다 describes a state resulting from a completed action — distinct from -고 있다 (ongoing action). Used for states that result from someone/something having done something.
Nuance & when to use
앉아 있어요 = (someone) is sitting (state of having sat). 서 있어요 = is standing. 열려 있어요 = is open. -고 있다 = actively doing. -아/어 있다 = in the state from having done. Key: intransitive verbs that result in a state use -아/어 있다. 앉아 있어요 (✓) vs 앉고 있어요 (✗).
⚠ Common mistake
-고 있다 for actions (먹고 있어요 = eating now). -아/어 있다 for resultant states (앉아 있어요 = is sitting as a state). Mixing them is a common intermediate-level error.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
앉아 있어요 = (someone) is sitting (state of having sat). 서 있어요 = is standing. 열려 있어요 = is open. -고 있다 = actively doing. -아/어 있다 = in the state from having done. Key: intransitive verbs that result in a state use -아/어 있다. 앉아 있어요 (✓) vs 앉고 있어요 (✗).
What's a common mistake?
-고 있다 for actions (먹고 있어요 = eating now). -아/어 있다 for resultant states (앉아 있어요 = is sitting as a state). Mixing them is a common intermediate-level error.
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