AdverbsHSK 4

Expressing "already" with 已

已 is a formal written adverb meaning "already," commonly seen in writing, news, and announcements rather than everyday speech.

It typically appears before a verb or verb phrase to indicate that an action has already taken place.

Structure

已 + Verb / Verb Phrase

Used in formal or written contexts to show an action is completed before the present moment.

已 + [Time expression] + Verb

Often combined with a time word (e.g. 已三个月) to emphasize how long something has already been the case.

会议已开始，请大家安静。
Huì yì yǐ kāi shǐ, qǐng dà jiā ān jìng.
The meeting has already started; please be quiet.
他已离开北京，去上海工作了。
Tā yǐ lí kāi běi jīng, qù shàng hǎi gōng zuò le.
He has already left Beijing to work in Shanghai.
这个问题已得到解决。
Zhè ge wèn tí yǐ dé dào jiě jué.
This problem has already been solved.
报名已截止，请不要再提交。
Bào míng yǐ jié zhǐ, qǐng bú yào zài tí jiāo.
Registration has already closed; please do not submit any more.
她已等了三个小时，他还没来。
Tā yǐ děng le sān gè xiǎo shí, tā hái méi lái.
She has already waited three hours, and he still hasn't come.