1.
no longer; not anymore (with negative)
Used with negative expressions to indicate that something is no longer the case. Implies a change from a previous state.
彼女は最早子供ではない。
She is no longer a child.
2.
already; by now; at this point
Indicates that a situation has reached a certain point. Often used to emphasize that something has become inevitable or has progressed beyond a certain stage.
最早手遅れだ。
It's already too late.
これは最早災害レベルの暑さだ。
This heat is already at disaster level.
TWO MAIN USES:
1) WITH NEGATIVE: No longer
- 最早〜ない (no longer ~)
- 最早元には戻らない (will no longer return to the original state)
2) EMPHATIC: By now/already (situation has reached a point)
- 最早これまで (this is the end/it's all over now)
- 最早避けられない (at this point, unavoidable)
WRITING NOTE:
Often written in hiragana as もはや. The kanji 最早 is more formal/literary.
REGISTER:
最早 has a slightly literary or formal tone. In casual speech, もう is more common.
- 最早〜ない (literary) = もう〜ない (casual)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 最早疑う余地はない (there's no longer room for doubt)
- 最早言い訳できない (can no longer make excuses)