Already in Chinese yǐjīng and dōu

“Already” in Chinese 1 – yǐjīng and dōu

Posted on by tiffany

Grammar Point:
In Chinese grammar, the words 已经 yǐjīng and 都 dōu are commonly used to convey the meaning of “already.”

Structure

When comparing 已经 yǐjīng and 都 dōu, both indicate that something has already occurred. However, 都 dōu adds a stronger emphasis and suggests the speaker’s emotional involvement or attitude towards the event. It conveys a sense of surprise, frustration, or even complaint.

已經/已经 or 都 + Time + 了

了 le indicates a new situation or change of state and is always placed at the end of a sentence.

他tā已经yǐjīng三十sānshí岁suì了le， 还没háiméi找zhǎo到dào工作gōngzuò吗ma？
He’s already thirty years old, hasn’t he found a job yet?

他tā都dōu三十sānshí岁suì了le， 还没háiméi找zhǎo到dào工作gōngzuò吗ma？
Has he already turned thirty and still hasn’t found a job? (surprise)

已经yǐjīng下xià一个yíge星期xīngqī的de雨yǔ了le
It has been raining for a whole week.

都dōu下xià一个yíge星期xīngqī的de雨yǔ了le
It has been raining for a whole week already! (complaint)

已经yǐjīng12 点diǎn了le， 该gāi睡觉shuìjiào了le
It’s already 12 o’clock, time to go to sleep.

我wǒ都dōu等děng了le一个yíge小时xiǎoshí了le
I have been waiting for an hour already. (complaint)

已經/已经 or 都 + Adj + 了


Both parents are getting old, why don’t you go visit them? (frustration)

父母fùmǔ已经yǐjīng老lǎo了le， 多duō花huā点diǎn时间shíjiān陪péi他们tāmen
Both parents have already gotten old, spend more time with them.

这个zhège价格jiàgé已经yǐjīng很hěn便宜piányi了le
This price is already very cheap.

你nǐ给gěi我的wǒde咖啡kāfēi都dōu凉liáng了le
The coffee you gave me has already cooled down. (complaint)

我wǒ已经yǐjīng帮bāng你nǐ加热jiārè了le
I have already reheated it for you.

已經/已经 or 都 + V + 了

你nǐ已经yǐjīng吃chī完wán了le吗ma？
Have you already finished eating?

你nǐ都dōu吃完chīwán了le吗ma？
You finished everything? (surprise)

我wǒ已经yǐjīng通过tōngguòHSK2 了le
I have already passed HSK2.

她tā已经yǐjīng吃chī饱bǎo了le
She has already eaten to fullness.

他tā都dōu喝醉hēzuì了le， 别bié再zài帮bāng他tā倒dào酒jiǔ了le
He’s already drunk, don’t pour him more alcohol. (complaint)

FYI
In Taiwan, many restaurants offer affordable “代驾服务 dàijià fúwù,” which is similar to having a personal chauffeur for your car. Let’s say you’ve had a few drinks and don’t feel comfortable driving. Instead of risking it or taking a taxi, you can hire a designated driver. They will come to where you are, hop in your car, and drive you home safely. It’s a convenient and responsible option that ensures you and your car get home without any worries.

不好意思bùhǎoyìsi， 我wǒ已经yǐjīng有yǒu男朋友nánpéngyou了le
I’m sorry, I already have a boyfriend.

Negation

已經/已经 + neg + V + 了

When the negative structure is used in Chinese, it can be translated into English as “not… anymore” instead of using the word “already.”

我wǒ已经yǐjīng不bú爱ài他tā了le
I don’t love him anymore.

爸爸bàba已经yǐjīng没méi工作gōngzuò了le
Dad doesn’t have a job anymore.

我们wǒmen已经yǐjīng不是búshì朋友péngyou了le
We’re not friends anymore.

教室jiàoshì已经yǐjīng没有méiyǒu人rén了le
The classroom doesn’t have anyone anymore.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️ I’ve already told you before.

我wǒ都dōu跟gēn你nǐ说shuō过guò了le

✔️ I’m already married.

我wǒ已经yǐjīng结婚jiéhūn了le

✔️ I don’t want to see you anymore.

我wǒ已经yǐjīng不bù想xiǎng再zài见jiàn你nǐ了le

Do you like it? 🙂