advanced
Describes the state that remains after an action has finished.
Usage
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Stem ends in ㅏ/ㅗ → 아 있다 (앉다 → 앉아 있다).
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All other vowels → 어 있다 (열리다 → 열려 있다).
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Only works with intransitive verbs — ones that take no object.
Example:
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문이 열려 있어요. (The door is open / has been left open).
Nuance
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고 있다 is the action in progress; 아/어 있다 is what is left over once the action is done.
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의자에 앉고 있어요 = you are in the middle of sitting down. 의자에 앉아 있어요 = you are seated.
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Because it needs an intransitive verb, 책을 읽어 있어요 is impossible — reading takes an object, so only 읽고 있어요 works.
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Very common with: 앉다, 서다, 눕다, 살다, 열리다, 닫히다, 켜지다, 남다.
In Context
창문이 닫혀 있어요.
The window is closed.
친구가 밖에 서 있어요.
My friend is standing outside.
아직 자리가 남아 있어요.
There are still seats left.