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Chinese Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE 已经
已经 (yǐjīng) is one of the most common words used in Chinese to express that something has already happened.
了 (le) is added to a sentence with 已经 (yǐjīng) to emphasise the completion of an action and to sound more authentic in speaking
已经 WITH VERBS & ADJECTIVES
已经 (yǐjīng) is placed before a verb or verb phrase with 了(le) at the end to say or show that the action has already taken place.
PATTERN
(Subject +) 已经 + Verb/Verb Phrase + 了
Similarly, 已经 (yǐjīng) is placed before an adjective with 了(le) at the end to say or show that the subject of the sentence already possesses the quality mentioned.
In this case, 很 may be omitted before the adjective.
PATTERN
(Subject +) 已经 + (很) Adjective + 了
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 他已经回家了。 | tā yǐjīng huí jiā le. | He has gone home already. |
| 公共汽车已经开了。 | gōnggòngqìchē yǐjīng kāi le. | The bus has already left. |
| 我们已经看这本书了。 | wǒmen yǐjīng kàn zhè běn shūle. | We have already read this book. |
已经 WITH LENGTHS OF TIME
已经 can be used with lengths of time or words that show time, to say or show that a certain amount of time has occurred, or something has continued for a length of time.
This is inclusive of age, as it indicates a form of time.
PATTERN
(Subject +) 已经 + Time + 了
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 现在已经三点了，他在哪儿？ | xiànzài yǐjīng sān diǎn le, tā zài nǎ’er? | It’s already three o’clock, where is he? |
| 我已经在这儿两个小时了。 | wǒ yǐjīng zài zhè’er liǎng gè xiǎoshí le. | I have been here for two hours already. |
| 我已经学汉语五年了。 | wǒ yǐjīng xué hànyǔ wǔ nián le. | I’ve been learning Chinese for five years now. |
已经 IN NEGATIVE SENTENCES
不 is placed before a verb or adjective in a sentence with 已经 to say or show that something is no longer happening.
It can be used with time to indicate that something hasn’t happened for a specific period of time. Here the sentences can mean “not anymore” or “no longer”.
PATTERN
(Subject +) 已经 + 不 + Verb/Adjective + 了
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 他已经不再这儿打工了。 | tā yǐjīng bú zài zhè’er dǎgōng le. | He no longer works here. |
| 他们已经三年不见了。 | tāmen yǐjīng sān nián bú jiàn le. | They haven’t seen each other for three years. |
| 这个地方已经不安全了。 | zhège dìfāng yǐjīng bù ānquán le. | This place is no longer safe. |
| 你已经不爱我吗？ | nǐ yǐjīng bú ài wǒ ma? | Don’t you love me anymore? |
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FAQs
How to say “already” in Chinese?
The easiest way to say “already” in Chinese is 已经 (yǐjīng).
我已经迟到了。I am already late.
我已经到了。I have already arrived.
What are some example sentences with 已经?
1) 他已经回家了。tā yǐjīng huí jiā le. He has already gone home.
2) 他们已经三年不见了。tāmen yǐjīng sān nián bú jiàn le. They haven’t seen each other for three years.
3) 我已经吃了。wǒ yǐjīng chī le. I have already eaten.
4) 你已经不爱我吗？nǐ yǐjīng bú ài wǒ ma? Don’t you love me anymore?
5) 我已经学汉语五年了。wǒ yǐjīng xué hànyǔ wǔ nián le. I’ve been learning Chinese for five years now.
Why do you use 了 with 已经?
了 (le) is used with 已经 (yǐ jīng) to say or show that the action has already taken place, therefore emphasising the completion of an action.
What is the sentence structure for 已经?
The most common sentence structure for 已经 is:
Subject + 已经 + Verb/Verb phrase + 了
What is the difference between 已经 and 正在?
We use 正在 (zhèng zài) to talk about an action that is in progress right now.
We use 已经 (yǐ jīng) to talk about actions that have already happened in the past.
Where can I find more grammar lessons?
There are more Chinese grammar lessons like this one in our Chinese Grammar Bank.
If our list doesn’t include the grammar point you are looking for, feel free to contact us to request it.