もう、まだ、また
In this lesson, you will learn how to say 'already', 'not yet' and 'again', with もう, まだ and また respectively. You will learn how to use them in sentences.
At the end of this lesson, you will know how to use these in simple sentences.
In Japanese, もう means 'already', まだ means 'not yet', and また means 'again'. We will see how to use them in sentences.
もう (already)
もう can be used to state or ask if someone has already done something.
ばんごはんをもうたべましたか？
Bangohan o mou tabemashita ka?
Have you already eaten dinner?
Keep in mind that we cannot use もう in the context of asking someone if they have already done something before, as an experience. In this context, もう will only be used to state or ask someone if they have finished doing something.
れいなのてがみをもうかきました？
Reina no tegami o mou kakimashita?
Have you written Reina's letter already? (Are you done with it?)
It can be used to state that it is already this time.
もうこんなじかんですね。いそがないと。。。
Mou konna jikan desu ne. Isoganai to...
It's already this hour. If we don't hurry...
もう can also have the meaning of 'no more'.
もうたべられません。。。
Mou taberaremasen...
I cannot eat no more...
Finally, you will see it in a couple of expressions.
もういいですよ。
Mou ii desu yo.
That's enough.
もうやめてください。
Mou yamete kudasai.
Stop already.
まだ (not yet)
まだ can be used in responses to "have you already...?" if we want to answer that we haven't done anything yet.
ばんごはんをもうたべましたか？
Bangohan o mou tabemashita ka?
Have you eaten dinner already?
まだです。
Mada desu.
Not yet.
このポスターをはじめましたか？
Kono posutaa o hajimemashita ka?
Did you start the poster?
いいえ、まだです。
Iie, mada desu.
No, not yet.
It can also give the meaning that something is still going on.
じゃあ、わたしはかえります。れいなは？
Jaa, watashi wa kaerimasu. Reina wa?
Well, I am going home. How about you, Reina?
ああ、わたしはまだだいじょうぶです。
Aa, watashi wa mada daijoubu desu.
Aa, I am (still) okay. (Meaning that Reina is not going back home yet).
また (again)
また actually means "again", so there is not going to be any confusion with this one!
またあいましょうね！
Mata aimashou ne!
Let's meet again, alright?
わたしのきょうかしょをまたわすれました。
Watashi no kyoukasho o mata wasuremashita.
I forgot my textbook again.
またしっぱいしました、わたし。。。
Mata shippai shimashita, watashi...
I failed again...