もう・まだ
Already, still, and not yet
You’ll be able to say whether something has happened already or is still continuing.
もう昼ご飯を食べました。
mou hirugohan o tabemashita.
What do you think this sentence means?
I’ve already eaten lunch.
Talk about “already,” “still,” and “not yet”
もう often shows that a change or action has happened earlier than the reference point. まだ shows that a state continues, or with a negative pattern, that something has not happened yet.
もう荷物を送りました。
mou nimotsu o okurimashita.
I already sent the package.
バスはまだ来ません。
basu wa mada kimasen.
The bus has not come yet.
もう: already
Put もう before a completed or changed situation when it has happened by now.
もう宿題をしました。
mou shukudai o shimashita.
I already did my homework.
電車はもう来ました。
densha wa mou kimashita.
The train has already arrived.
もう春です。
mou haru desu.
It is already spring.
まだ: still
Use まだ with an affirmative state or ongoing pattern when the situation continues.
まだ雨が降っています。
mada ame ga futte imasu.
It is still raining.
田中さんはまだ学生です。
tanaka-san wa mada gakusei desu.
Tanaka is still a student.
まだ待っています。
mada matte imasu.
I am still waiting.
まだ: not yet
Use まだ with a negative predicate to say that something has not happened up to now. You can also use まだです on its own to say that an action or event has not happened yet without needing a full verb.
バスはまだ来ません。
basu wa mada kimasen.
The bus has not come yet.
まだ分かりません。
mada wakarimasen.
I do not know yet.
昼ご飯はまだです。
hirugohan wa mada desu.
I haven’t had lunch yet.
まだです is a common shortcut to say an action or event has not happened yet, without needing a full verb (literally: “As for lunch, it is not yet”).
もう vs まだ
They are opposites around the same moment. もう says the change has happened; まだ says it has not, or that the old state continues.
もう, already
バスはもう来ました。
basu wa mou kimashita.
The bus has already arrived.
The arrival has already happened; the bus is here.
まだ, not yet
バスはまだ来ません。
basu wa mada kimasen.
The bus has not come yet.
The arrival has not happened yet; you are still waiting.
もう朝ご飯を食べました。
mou asagohan o tabemashita.
I already ate breakfast.
もうメールを送りました。
mou meeru o okurimashita.
I already sent the email.
図書館はもう閉まりました。
toshokan wa mou shimarimashita.
The library has already closed.
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