已经 (yǐjīng) — already
HSK 1 | adverb | indicates that an action or state has been completed before the moment of speaking
已经 (yǐjīng)
已经 is an adverb meaning "already." It signals that something has happened or changed before the current moment.
Meanings
- [adverb] Already; by now. Describes a completed action or a state that is in effect at the time of speaking.
Example Sentences
我已经吃饭了。 Wǒ yǐjīng chīfàn le. I have already eaten.
他已经回家了。 Tā yǐjīng huí jiā le. He has already gone home.
票已经卖完了。 Piào yǐjīng mài wán le. The tickets are already sold out.
你已经学了多长时间汉语？ Nǐ yǐjīng xué le duō cháng shíjiān Hànyǔ? How long have you already been studying Chinese?
Usage Notes
已经 always comes directly before the verb or adjective it modifies, after the subject. It almost always co-occurs with 了 (the completion or change-of-state marker) either after the verb or at the end of the sentence. The negative counterpart is 还没 (hái méi) meaning "not yet," which takes the place of 已经 and drops 了.
Collocations or Common Phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 已经……了 | already [done something] |
| 已经到了 | has already arrived |
| 已经知道了 | already knows |
| 还没……呢 (opposite) | not yet |
| 已经太晚了 | it is already too late |
Memory Hook
Picture a train that has already left the station — 已经, it's gone, it's done.