1.
already
Indicates that something has happened before the expected time or before the current moment. More formal than もう.
既に is a formal adverb meaning "already," indicating that something has happened before the current moment or before expected.
POSITION:
Usually placed before the verb or at the beginning of a clause. Works with both past and present tense.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- もう: already (casual, everyday — the most common equivalent)
- とっくに: long ago, a long time already (emphatic, casual)
REGISTER:
More formal and literary than もう. Preferred in news articles, academic writing, business correspondence, and formal speech. In casual conversation, もう is the natural choice.
KANJI NOTE:
The kanji 既 is also read き in compounds:
- 既婚: married
- 既存: existing, pre-existing
- 既に述べた: as previously stated