已经/已經 yǐjīng — already

Meanings

1. 1

   already

   Says that something has happened by now. It stands before the verb and nearly always pairs with a sentence-final 了: 他已经走了.

   adverb

Example sentences

• 他已经走了。/他已經走了。Tā (first tone, high and level) yǐjīng (third tone, dipping) zǒu (third tone, dipping) le. (neutral tone)···

  He’s already left.

• 我已经吃过饭了。/我已經吃過飯了。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) yǐjīng (third tone, dipping) chīguo (first tone, high and level) fàn (fourth tone, falling) le. (neutral tone)···

  I’ve already eaten.

Common mistakes

• Not quite他已经走。

  Correct他已经走了。

  已经 needs the 了 that closes the sentence: together they report the change of situation. Without 了 the sentence sounds unfinished.

Similar words