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Expressing "already" with 已经 ("yi3jing1")

已经 yǐjīng

Adverb
HSK 2

Structure

已经 + [Verb Phrase] + 了 已经 + (很 +) Adj. + 了 已经 + Time + 了 已经 + 不 + Verb + 了

Translations

  • already

Definition

表示动作或状态在说话之前已经发生或完成。

Indicates that an action or state has already occurred or been completed before the time of speaking.

Usage

通常放在动词或形容词前，有时也放在句首。常与'了'连用，构成'已经...了'结构。

Usually placed before a verb or adjective, sometimes at the beginning of a sentence. Often used with '了' to form the '已经...了' structure.

Examples

  • 1 我已经吃过饭了。(I have already eaten.)
  • 2 他已经走了。(He has already left.)
  • 3 我们已经在路上了。(We are already on the way.)
  • 4 天气已经变冷了。(The weather has already turned cold.)
  • 5 他们已经完成了任务。(They have already completed the task.)
  • 6 我已经等了一个小时了。(I have already waited for an hour.)

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