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.
他已經三十歲了,還沒找到工作嗎?他已经三十岁了,还没找到工作吗?
He’s already thirty years old, hasn’t he found a job yet?
他都三十歲了,還沒找到工作嗎?他都三十岁了,还没找到工作吗?
Has he already turned thirty and still hasn’t found a job? (surprise)
已經下一個星期的雨了已经下一个星期的雨了
It has been raining for a whole week.
都下一個星期的雨了都下一个星期的雨了
It has been raining for a whole week already! (complaint)
已經12點了,該睡覺了已经12点了,该睡觉了
It’s already 12 o’clock, time to go to sleep.
我都等了一個小時了我都等了一个小时了
I have been waiting for an hour already. (complaint)
已經/已经 or 都 + Adj + 了
父母都老了,你為什麼不去看他們?父母都老了,你为什么不去看他们?
Both parents are getting old, why don’t you go visit them? (frustration)
父母已經老了,多花點時間陪他們父母已经老了,多花点时间陪他们
Both parents have already gotten old, spend more time with them.
這個價格已經很便宜了这个价格已经很便宜了
This price is already very cheap.
你給我的咖啡都涼了你给我的咖啡都凉了
The coffee you gave me has already cooled down. (complaint)
我已經幫你加熱了我已经帮你加热了
I have already reheated it for you.
已經/已经 or 都 + V + 了
你已經吃完了嗎?你已经吃完了吗?
Have you already finished eating?
你都吃完了嗎?你都吃完了吗?
You finished everything? (surprise)
我已經通過HSK2了我已经通过HSK2了
I have already passed HSK2.
她已經吃飽了她已经吃饱了
She has already eaten to fullness.
他都喝醉了,別再幫他倒酒了他都喝醉了,别再帮他倒酒了
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,我已經有男朋友了不好意思,我已经有男朋友了
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.”
我已經不愛他了我已经不爱他了
I don’t love him anymore.
爸爸已經沒工作了爸爸已经没工作了
Dad doesn’t have a job anymore.
我們已經不是朋友了我们已经不是朋友了
We’re not friends anymore.
教室已經沒有人了教室已经没有人了
The classroom doesn’t have anyone anymore.
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ I’ve already told you before.
我都跟你說過了我都跟你说过了
✔️ I’m already married.
我已經結婚了我已经结婚了
✔️ I don’t want to see you anymore.
我已經不想再見你了我已经不想再见你了
- Already 2 – 已 yǐ and 早已 zǎoyǐ (HSK 3)