Translation guide
The English perfect aspect 'have ...-ed' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Learners should understand that Japanese expresses completed actions, experiences, and resulting states through different grammatical patterns depending on the intended meaning.
To express that an action has been completed, often with present relevance or result.
The plain past form (ta-form) is often used where English would use present perfect, especially when the action is simply completed. Context determines if it's 'did' or 'have done'.
For actions that result in a continuing state, use te-iru form. This is common with change-of-state verbs.
Used for actions done intentionally with a resulting state, often implying preparation. The agent is usually not the speaker.
テーブルに花が飾ってある。
Flowers have been arranged on the table.
To express that one has had the experience of doing something at some point in the past.
The standard way to say 'have done something before'. Literally 'there is the fact of having done'.
日本に行ったことがある。
I have been to Japan.
寿司を食べたことがありますか。
Have you ever eaten sushi?
To express that an action or state has continued from the past up to the present.
Use te-iru with 'zutto' (all along) to emphasize continuation. Often used with time expressions like 'for X years'.
私はずっとここに住んでいる。
I have been living here all along.
三時間待っている。
I have been waiting for three hours.
To express that the subject causes or arranges for someone else to do something.
The causative form. Can mean 'make someone do' or 'let someone do', depending on context. For 'have someone do', it often implies a request or arrangement.
彼に車を洗わせた。
I had him wash the car.
子供に野菜を食べさせた。
I had the child eat vegetables.
To express that something (often negative) was done to the subject by someone else.
English uses 'have' as an auxiliary verb for perfect tenses. Japanese does not have an equivalent auxiliary. Learners must avoid literal translations like '持っている' (to possess) for perfect aspect.
私は食べた。
I have eaten.
Use た for simple completion, ている for resulting states. Compare: ドアが閉まった (The door closed) vs. ドアが閉まっている (The door is closed/has been closed).
ドアが閉まった。
The door closed.
ドアが閉まっている。
The door is closed.
A more formal or explicit way to say 'have the experience of doing'. Used in writing or formal speech.
海外で働いた経験があります。
I have experience working abroad.
Explicitly means 'continue doing'. Stronger emphasis on the ongoing nature.
彼は走り続けている。
He has been running continuously.
Means 'have someone do something for me/us' with a nuance of receiving a favor. More polite and common in requests.
友達に手伝ってもらった。
I had a friend help me.
医者に診てもらう。
I will have a doctor examine me.
Humble form of te-morau. Used when the person doing the action is of higher status or in formal situations.
先生に教えていただいた。
I had the teacher instruct me. (humble)