已 yǐ already
How to remember 已: The dad sprints into the school hall with his camera, but his daughter's song is over already.
Component breakdown
The dad sprints into the school hall with his camera, but his daughter's song is over already.
How it is used
- Half of 已经 (yǐjing) = "already" - 已经走了 (yǐjing zǒu le) already left. In writing 已 can stand alone: 已完成 (yǐ wánchéng) already done.
- 而已 (éryǐ) = "that's all/merely" at a sentence end.
- Don't mix up 已 with 己 and 巳: 己 (jǐ, self) is open at the top, 已 is half closed, 巳 (sì) is closed.
Words with 已
Example sentences
- 已经五点了。 Yǐjing wǔ diǎn le.It's already five o'clock.
- 他已经准备好了。 Tā yǐjīng zhǔnbèi hǎo le.He already completed preparations.
- 我以为你已经回家了。 Wǒ yǐwéi nǐ yǐjīng huíjiā le.I thought you had already gone home.
- 她已经结婚了。 Tā yǐjing jiéhūn le.She's already married.