-아/어 있다 describes a state resulting from a completed action - "is sitting," "is closed." The action is done; the result remains.
Position/posture - 앉아 있다 (is seated), 서 있다 (is standing)
State of objects - 열려 있다 (is open), 꺼져 있다 (is off)
Resulting condition - 결혼해 있다 (is married)
Only works with intransitive verbs or passive forms.
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
-아/어 있다 vs -고 있다
- 아/어 있다 = state (앉아 있다 = is seated)
- 고 있다 = action in progress (앉고 있다 = is sitting down)
Intransitive/passive verbs only
- ✅ 앉다, 서다, 눕다, 열리다, 닫히다
- ❌ 먹다, 보다, 읽다 (transitive)
Common pairs
- 앉아 있다 (seated) / 서 있다 (standing)
- 열려 있다 (open) / 닫혀 있다 (closed)
The cat is sitting on the sofa.
The light is on
The window is wide open.
Is the name written on the blackboard?
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