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

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
已经……了 (yǐjīng... 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 ==
+
== Basic Usages ==
  
=== 已经 with Verb Phrase ===
+
=== 已经 (yǐjīng) with Verb Phrases ===
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
  
The most common structure is to use 已经……了 (yǐjīng... 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="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>
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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">Bǎobao <em>yǐjīng</em> huì shuōhuà <em>le</em>. </span><span class="trans">The baby can already speak. </span>
+
*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="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>
+
*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="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>
+
*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 ===
+
=== 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 māma <em>yǐjīng</em> lǎo <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">Mom and dad are already old.</span>
+
*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 piányi <em>le</em>.</span><span class="trans">It is already very cheap.</span>
+
*<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>
+
*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>
* 你 的 感冒 <em>已经</em> 好 <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 的 感冒 <em>已经</em> 好 <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>
* <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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*<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>
  
 
</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 <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, yet my daughter has not returned. </span>
+
*<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 岁 <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>
+
*爷爷 <em>已经</em> 八十五 岁 <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 <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>
+
*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 <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>
+
*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 <em>了</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Tā zài xǐshǒujiān lǐ <em>yǐjīng</em> bàn ge xiǎoshí <em>le</em>. </span><span class="trans">He has already been in the bathroom for half an hour. </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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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
已经 + 不 + Verb + 了
已经 + 不 + [Verb Phrase] + 了
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 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>
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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> <strong>不</strong> 爱 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>
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*他 <em>已经</em> <strong>不</strong> 爱 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> <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>
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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> <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>
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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> <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>
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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]
+
{{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]]
 +
{{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}}
 +
{{Similar|Uses of "le"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "already" with just "le"}}
 
{{Similar|Expressing "already" with just "le"}}
{{Similar|"Already" with "dou…le"}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "already" with "dou"}}
{{Basic Grammar|已经|A2|已经...了|他 <em>已经</em> 走 <em>了</em>。|grammar point|ASGNXI27}}
 
 
{{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