immersionlog

もう

already, (not) anymore, more

もう + verb / もう + negative / もう + number

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もう has three everyday jobs:

  • With a positive verb, "already": もう食べました, "I've already eaten". In a question, "yet": もう食べましたか, "have you eaten yet?"
  • With a negative, "not anymore": もう東京に住んでいません, "I don't live in Tokyo anymore".
  • Before a number, "more, another": もう一つ, "one more"; もう少し, "a little more".

Its partner is まだ, "still / not yet", the next point. The natural answer to もう〜ましたか is either はい、もう〜ました or いいえ、まだです.

On its own, with a sigh, もう! is exasperation: "honestly!"

Examples

  • 宿題しゅくだいはもう終おわりました。

    I've already finished my homework.

  • もう昼ひるご飯はんを食たべましたか。

    Have you had lunch yet?

  • あ、もう十時じゅうじですよ。

    Oh, it's already ten o'clock!

  • もう一ひとつください。

    One more, please.

  • もう東京とうきょうに住すんでいません。

    I don't live in Tokyo anymore.

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