もう

もう

adverb

already, anymore

1. already

Before the expected time; by now.

もう食(た)べましたか？

Have you already eaten?

もう十時(じゅうじ)ですよ。

It's already 10 o'clock.

宿題(しゅくだい)はもう終(お)わりました。

I've already finished my homework.

駅(えき)に着(つ)いた時(とき)、電車(でんしゃ)はもう出(で)ていました。

When I arrived at the station, the train had already left.

もう春(はる)なのに、今日(きょう)はとても寒(さむ)くて、外(そと)に出(で)たくないです。

Even though it's already spring, it's very cold today, and I don't want to go outside.

2. anymore (with negatives)

No longer; not from this point forward.

もう行(い)きません。

I won't go anymore.

もう会(あ)いたくない。

I don't want to see you anymore.

あの店(みせ)はもう開(あ)いていません。

That shop isn't open anymore.

甘(あま)い物(もの)はもう食(た)べないと決(き)めました。

I decided not to eat sweets anymore.

あの映画(えいが)は古(ふる)いので、もうどこでも見(み)ることができないと思(おも)います。

That movie is old, so I don't think you can watch it anywhere anymore.

3. more, another

An additional amount.

もう一(いっ)回(かい)お願(ねが)いします。

One more time, please.

もう一(ひと)つください。

Please give me one more.

少(すこ)しもう待(ま)ってください。

Please wait a little more.

もう少(すこ)し大(おお)きい声(こえ)で話(はな)してください。

Please speak a little louder.

日本語(にほんご)がもう少(すこ)し上手(じょうず)になったら、日本(にほん)で働(はたら)きたいと思(おも)っています。

When my Japanese gets a little better, I want to work in Japan.

もう is a versatile adverb with several related meanings.

MEANINGS:
1. Already: An action/state completed earlier than expected
2. Anymore (with negatives): No longer, not from now on
3. More/another: An additional amount

COMMON PATTERNS:

もう〜した: already did ~
もう〜ない: not ~ anymore
もう一(いっ)回(かい): one more time
もう少(すこ)し: a little more
もう一(ひと)つ: one more (thing)

CONTRAST:

もう vs. まだ: "already" vs. "still/not yet"
もう食(た)べた (already ate) vs. まだ食(た)べていない (haven't eaten yet)

USAGE:
With past tense = "already." With negative = "anymore." With numbers/amounts = "more."

Related Words

See also: まだ

basic

Added 2026.1.8 0:46 · Revised 2026.2.12 7:38

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