已经…了
HSK 2- Aspect
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 已经…了 is used to express an action or state that has already occurred, carrying the meaning of "already… (done)."
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The adverb 已经 (yǐjīng) and the particle 了 (le) combine to emphasize that something has already happened or that a situation has changed. It is equivalent to "already" in English.
This structure can be used with both verbs (indicating a completed action) and adjectives (indicating a state that has been reached). 已经 is the core element carrying the meaning "already," while 了 at the end of the sentence completes the thought and makes the sentence sound more natural.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我已经吃饭了。繁: 我已經吃飯了。Wǒ yǐjīng chīfàn le.
I have already eaten.
- 电影已经开始了。繁: 電影已經開始了。Diànyǐng yǐjīng kāishǐ le.
The movie has already started.
- 他已经三十岁了。繁: 他已經三十歲了。Tā yǐjīng sānshí suì le.
He is already thirty years old.
- 我们已经到学校了。繁: 我們已經到學校了。Wǒmen yǐjīng dào xuéxiào le.
We have already arrived at school.
- 她已经知道了。繁: 她已經知道了。Tā yǐjīng zhīdào le.
She already knows.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我已经吃饭。Correct:我已经吃饭了。
The adverb 已经 commonly pairs with the particle 了 at the end of a sentence to form a complete structure, expressing the meaning "already."
- Wrong:我不已经回家了。Correct:我还没回家呢。
To negate 已经…了, use the structure 还没(有)…呢 (still haven't...), not 不.