Difference between revisions of "Expressing "already" with "yijing""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
已经……了 (yǐjing... le) is the basic pattern used to express "already" in Chinese. Strictly speaking, the 了(le) here is not absolutely mandatory, but it's usually there in spoken Chinese, so it's best to think of the 了 (le) as a part of the pattern.
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已经⋯⋯了 (yǐjīng... le) is the basic pattern used to express "already" in Chinese. It's easy to forget the 了 (le) on the end, but using it will make your Chinese more natural.
  
== Basic Pattern ==
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== Basic Usages ==
  
=== 已经 with Verb Phrase ===
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=== 已经 (yǐjīng) with Verb Phrases ===
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
  
The most common structure is to use 已经……了 (yǐjing... le) with a verb phrase.
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The most common structure is to use 已经⋯⋯了 (yǐjīng... le) with a verb phrase.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
已经 + [Verb Phrase] + 了
已经 + [Verb/Verb Phrase] + 了
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 他们 <em>已经</em> 走 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="expl">(with just a verb)</span><span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>yǐjīng</em> zǒu <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">They've already left.</span>
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*他们 <em>已经</em> 走 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">with just a verb</span><span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>yǐjīng</em> zǒu <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">They've already left.</span>
* 我 <em>已经</em> 有 男朋友 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǐjīng</em> yǒu nánpéngyou <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">I already have a boyfriend.</span>
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*我 <em>已经</em> 有 男朋友 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">with a verb phrase</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǐjīng</em> yǒu nánpéngyou <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">I already have a boyfriend.</span>
* 宝宝 <em>已经</em> 会 说话 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl">(with a verb phrase)</span><span class="pinyin">Bǎobǎo <em>yǐjīng</em> huì shuōhuà <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">The baby can already speak.</span>
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*宝宝 <em>已经</em> 会 说话 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">with a verb phrase</span><span class="pinyin">Bǎobao <em>yǐjīng</em> huì shuōhuà <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">The baby can already speak.</span>
* 妈妈 <em>已经</em> 回来 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Māma <em>yǐjīng</em> huílái <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Mom already came back.</span>
+
*妈妈 <em>已经</em> 回来 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">with just a verb</span><span class="pinyin">Māma <em>yǐjīng</em> huílái <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Mom has already come back.</span>
* 他 <em>已经</em> 上 飞机 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>yǐjīng</em> shàng fēijī <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">He's already gotten on the plane.</span>
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*他 <em>已经</em> 上 飞机 <em>了</em>。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">with a verb phrase</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <em>yǐjīng</em> shàng fēijī <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">He's already gotten on the plane.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== 已经 with Adjective ===
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=== 已经 (yǐjīng) with Adjectives ===
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
  
Sometimes [[adjective]]s or even [[time noun]]s are used instead of a typical verb phrase:
+
Sometimes an [[adjective]] or a [[time noun]] is used instead of a typical verb phrase:
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
已经 + (很 +) Adj. + 了
已经 + (很)Adj. + 了
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 爸爸 妈妈 <em>已经</em> 老 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Bàba māmā <em>yǐjīng</em> lǎo <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Mom and dad are already old.</span>
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*爸爸 妈妈 <em>已经</em> 老 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Bàba māma <em>yǐjīng</em> lǎo <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Mom and dad are already old.</span>
* <em>已经</em> 很 便宜 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin"><Em>Yǐjīng</em> hěn piányí <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">It is already very cheap.</span>
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*<em>已经</em> 很 便宜 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin"><Em>Yǐjīng</em> hěn piányi <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">It is already very cheap.</span>
* 你 的 感冒 <em>已经</em> <em>了</em> 吗 ?  <span class="pinyin">Nǐ de gǎnmào <em>yǐjīng</em> hǎo <em>le</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Is your cold already better?</span>
+
*你 女朋友 <em>已经</em> 很 漂亮 <em>了</em><span class="pinyin"> Nǐ nǚpéngyou <em>yǐjīng</em> hěn piàoliang <em>le</em>! </span><span class="trans">Your girlfriend is already very beautiful! </span>
* <em>已经</em> 很 晚 <em>了</em>,我们 走 吧。<span class="pinyin"><Em>Yǐjīng</em> hěn wǎn <em>le</em>, wǒmen zǒu ba.</span><span class="trans">It's already really late. Let's go.</span>
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*你 的 感冒 <em>已经</em> <em>了</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de gǎnmào <em>yǐjīng</em> hǎo <em>le</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Is your cold already better?</span>
* 你 女朋友 <em>已经</em> 很 漂亮 <em>了</em>,你 还 不 满意? <span class="pinyin"> Nǐ nǚpéngyǒu <em>yǐjīng</em> hěn piàoliang <em>le</em>, nǐ hái bù mǎnyì?</span><span class="trans">Your girlfriend is already very beautiful. Are you still unsatisfied?</span>
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*<em>已经</em> 很 <em>了</em>,我们 走 吧。<span class="pinyin"><Em>Yǐjīng</em> hěn wǎn <em>le</em>, wǒmen zǒu ba.</span><span class="trans">It's already really late. Let's go.</span>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== 已经 with Time noun ===
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=== 已经 (yǐjīng) with Time Nouns ===
 +
 
 +
A "[[time noun]]" simply refers to almost any word in Chinese indicating a time something happened.
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
已经 + Time + 了
已经 + Time Noun + 了
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* <em>已经</em> 11点 了,女儿 还 没 回来。<span class="pinyin"><Em>Yǐjīng</em> shíyī diǎn le, nǚ'ér hái méi huílái.</span><span class="trans">It is already 11 o'clock, my daughter has not returned.</span>
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*<em>已经</em> 11点 <em>了</em>,女儿 还 没 回来 。<span class="pinyin"><Em>Yǐjīng</em> shíyī diǎn <em>le</em>, nǚ'ér hái méi huílái.</span><span class="trans">It is already 11 o'clock, and my daughter has not returned.</span>
* 爷爷 <em>已经</em> 八十 五 了。<span class="pinyin"><em>yǐjīng</em> bāshí wǔ suì le.</span><span class="trans">He is already fifteen years old.</span>
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*爷爷 <em>已经</em> 八十五 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Yéye <em>yǐjīng</em> bāshí-wǔ suì <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Grandpa is already eighty-five years old.</span>
* 我 学习 中文 <em>已经</em> 一 年 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xuéxí Zhōngwén <em>yǐjīng</em> yī nián le.</span><span class="trans">I have already been studying Chinese for a year.</span>
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*我 学习 中文 <em>已经</em> 一 年 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xuéxí Zhōngwén <em>yǐjīng</em> yī nián <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">I have already been studying Chinese for a year.</span>
* 爸爸 去 北京 出差 <em>已经</em> 两 天 了。<span class="pinyin">Bàba qù Běijīng chūchāi <em>yǐjīng</em> liǎng tiān le.</span><span class="trans">It has already been two days since dad went to Beijing on business trip.</span>
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*他 在 洗手间 里 <em>已经</em> 半 个 小时 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Tā zài xǐshǒujiān lǐ <em>yǐjīng</em> bàn gè xiǎoshí <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">He has already been in the bathroom for half an hour.</span>
* 他 在 洗手间 里 <em>已经</em> 半 个 小时 了。 <span class="pinyin">Tā zài xǐshǒujiān lǐ <em>yǐjīng</em> bàn ge xiǎoshí le.</span><span class="trans">It has already been half an hour since he went to the bathroom.</span>
+
*爸爸 去 北京 出差 <em>已经</em> 两 天 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bàba qù Běijīng chūchāi <em>yǐjīng</em> liǎng tiān <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">It has already been two days since dad went to Beijing on business trip.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
The negative structure simply adds a 不 (bù) after 已经 (yǐjing), and before the verb (or possibly adjective).
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The negative structure simply adds a 不 (bù) after 已经 (yǐjīng), and before the verb (or possibly adjective).
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
已经 + 不 + Verb + 了
已经 + 不 + [Verb Phrase] + 了
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
  
Generally this negative 已经 (yǐjing) structure is translated into English as "not... anymore" rather than using the word "already."
+
Generally this negative 已经 (yǐjīng) structure is translated into English as "not... anymore" rather than using the word "already."
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我 <em>已经</em> 不 认识 他 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǐjīng</em> bù rènshi tā <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">I don't know him anymore.</span>
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*我 <em>已经</em> <strong>不</strong> 喜欢 你 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǐjīng</em> <strong>bù</strong> xǐhuan nǐ <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">I don't like you anymore.</span>
*他 <em>已经</em> 不 爱 他老婆 <em>了</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>yǐjīng</em> bù ài tālǎopo <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">He doesn't love his wife anymore.</span>
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*他 <em>已经</em> <strong>不</strong> 他 的 猫 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>yǐjīng</em> <strong>bù</strong> ài tā de māo <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">He doesn't love his cat anymore.</span>
*他们 <em>已经</em> 不 住 在 家里 <em>了</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>yǐjīng</em> bù zhù zài jiālǐ <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">You're not young anymore.</span>
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*他们 <em>已经</em> <strong>不</strong> 住 在 中国 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>yǐjīng</em> <strong>bù</strong> zhù zài Zhōngguó <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">They don't live in China anymore.</span>
*我 <em>已经</em> 不 需要 父母 的 钱 <em>了</em>。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǐjīng</em> bù xūyào fùmǔ de qián <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">I don't need my parents' money anymore.</span>
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*我 <em>已经</em> <strong>不</strong> 需要 父母 的 钱 <em>了</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yǐjīng</em> <strong>bù</strong> xūyào fùmǔ de qián <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">I don't need my parents' money anymore.</span>
*你 <em>已经</em> 不 在 Google 工作 <em>了</em> 吗? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yǐjīng</em> bùzài Google gōngzuò <em>le</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">You don't work at Google anymore?</span>
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*你 <em>已经</em> <strong>不</strong> 在 Google 工作 <em>了</em> 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yǐjīng</em> <strong>bù</strong> zài Google gōngzuò <em>le</em> ma? </span><span class="trans">You don't work at Google anymore?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
== See also ==
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
*[[现代汉语八百词(增订本)]] (p. 612) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|29}}
*[[现代汉语虚词例释]] (p. 554) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B004323J90/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
+
{{Source|现代汉语八百词(增订本)|612}}
*[[New Concept Chinese (新概念汉语 初级本II)]] (p. 41)[http://www.amazon.cn/%E6%96%B0%E6%A6%82%E5%BF%B5%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD/dp/B00119AGD0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347862743&sr=8-1 →buy]
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{{Source|现代汉语虚词例释|554}}
*[[Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)]] (p. 97) [http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B004WA6JSQ/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004WA6JSQ →buy]
+
{{Source|New Concept Chinese (新概念汉语 初级本II)|41}}
 +
{{Source|Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)|97}}
  
 
=== Dictionaries ===
 
=== Dictionaries ===
 +
 
* [[现代汉语词典(第5版)]] (p.1609) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy]
 
* [[现代汉语词典(第5版)]] (p.1609) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy]
  
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
{{Similar|"Already" with "dou…le"}}
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
{{Basic Grammar|已经|A2|已经……了|他 <em>已经</em> 走 <em>了</em>。|grammar point|ASGNXI27}}
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{{Basic Grammar|已经|A2|已经⋯⋯了|他 <em>已经</em> 走 <em>了</em> 。|grammar point|ASGNXI27}}
{{Rel char|已经}}
+
{{Similar|Uses of "le"}}
 +
{{Similar|Expressing "already" with just "le"}}
 +
{{Similar|Expressing "already" with "dou"}}
 
{{Rel char|了}}
 
{{Rel char|了}}
 
{{POS|Adverbs}}
 
{{POS|Adverbs}}
 
{{Used for|Emphasizing}}
 
{{Used for|Emphasizing}}
 
{{Translation|already}}
 
{{Translation|already}}

Latest revision as of 08:54, 21 April 2021

已经⋯⋯了 (yǐjīng... le) is the basic pattern used to express "already" in Chinese. It's easy to forget the 了 (le) on the end, but using it will make your Chinese more natural.

Basic Usages

已经 (yǐjīng) with Verb Phrases

Structure

The most common structure is to use 已经⋯⋯了 (yǐjīng... le) with a verb phrase.

已经 + [Verb Phrase] + 了

Examples

  • 他们 已经with just a verbTāmen yǐjīng zǒu le.They've already left.
  • 已经 有 男朋友 with a verb phraseyǐjīng yǒu nánpéngyou le.I already have a boyfriend.
  • 宝宝 已经 会 说话 with a verb phraseBǎobao yǐjīng huì shuōhuà le.The baby can already speak.
  • 妈妈 已经 回来 with just a verbMāma yǐjīng huílái le.Mom has already come back.
  • 已经 上 飞机 with a verb phraseyǐjīng shàng fēijī le.He's already gotten on the plane.

已经 (yǐjīng) with Adjectives

Structure

Sometimes an adjective or a time noun is used instead of a typical verb phrase:

已经 + (很 +) Adj. + 了

Examples

  • 爸爸 妈妈 已经Bàba māma yǐjīng lǎo le.Mom and dad are already old.
  • 已经 很 便宜 Yǐjīng hěn piányi le.It is already very cheap.
  • 你 女朋友 已经 很 漂亮 Nǐ nǚpéngyou yǐjīng hěn piàoliang le! Your girlfriend is already very beautiful!
  • 你 的 感冒 已经 吗 ?Nǐ de gǎnmào yǐjīng hǎo le ma?Is your cold already better?
  • 已经 很 晚 ,我们 走 吧。Yǐjīng hěn wǎn le, wǒmen zǒu ba.It's already really late. Let's go.

已经 (yǐjīng) with Time Nouns

A "time noun" simply refers to almost any word in Chinese indicating a time something happened.

Structure

已经 + Time + 了

Examples

  • 已经 11点 ,女儿 还 没 回来 。Yǐjīng shíyī diǎn le, nǚ'ér hái méi huílái.It is already 11 o'clock, and my daughter has not returned.
  • 爷爷 已经 八十五 岁 Yéye yǐjīng bāshí-wǔ suì le.Grandpa is already eighty-five years old.
  • 我 学习 中文 已经 一 年 Wǒ xuéxí Zhōngwén yǐjīng yī nián le.I have already been studying Chinese for a year.
  • 他 在 洗手间 里 已经 半 个 小时 Tā zài xǐshǒujiān lǐ yǐjīng bàn gè xiǎoshí le.He has already been in the bathroom for half an hour.
  • 爸爸 去 北京 出差 已经 两 天 Bàba qù Běijīng chūchāi yǐjīng liǎng tiān le.It has already been two days since dad went to Beijing on business trip.

Negative Form

Structure

The negative structure simply adds a 不 (bù) after 已经 (yǐjīng), and before the verb (or possibly adjective).

已经 + 不 + Verb + 了

Examples

Generally this negative 已经 (yǐjīng) structure is translated into English as "not... anymore" rather than using the word "already."

  • 已经 喜欢 你 yǐjīng xǐhuan nǐ le.I don't like you anymore.
  • 已经 爱 他 的 猫 yǐjīng ài tā de māo le.He doesn't love his cat anymore.
  • 他们 已经 住 在 中国 Tāmen yǐjīng zhù zài Zhōngguó le.They don't live in China anymore.
  • 已经 需要 父母 的 钱 yǐjīng xūyào fùmǔ de qián le.I don't need my parents' money anymore.
  • 已经 在 Google 工作 吗 ?yǐjīng zài Google gōngzuò le ma? You don't work at Google anymore?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries