Japanese Grammar: すでに (Sudeni)

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Japanese Grammar: すでに (Sudeni)
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Already, previously, before now.

🎯 Primary Function

An adverb used to indicate that an action has been completed or a state has been reached before a specific point in time.

📋 Grammar Structure

すでに + Verb (Past tense / Te-iru form)
すでに + I-Adjective (past or state form)
すでに + Na-Adjective + だ/です/である
すでに + Negative Verb (implies no longer)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Commonly used in business reports, news broadcasts, and formal speeches.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely used; the word ‘mou’ (もう) is much more common in daily conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in literature, newspapers, and academic writing.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in polite or professional spoken Japanese.

💡 Common Applications

Reporting Status
Used to report that a task or event has reached completion before the present moment.
Example: すでに完了しました。 (It is already completed.)
Expressing Regret or Finality
Often used to emphasize that a situation has progressed to a point where it cannot be changed.
Example: すでに遅すぎた。 (It was already too late.)
📊
Frequency
High (especially in formal writing and news)
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N3
Tag:

Related Kanji

JLPT N3 Kanji List

Related Vocabulary

JLPT N3 Vocabulary List
Example Sentences
Example #1
会議はすでに始まっています。
Furigana: かいぎ、はじ、
Romaji: Kaigi wa sudeni hajimatte imasu.
English: The meeting has already started.
Example #2
駅に着いた時、電車はすでに行ってしまった。
Furigana: えき、つ、とき、でんしゃ、い、
Romaji: Eki ni tsuita toki, densha wa sudeni itte shimatta.
English: The train had already left when I arrived at the station.
Example #3
そのニュースはすでに聞きました。
Furigana: き、
Romaji: Sono nyūsu wa sudeni kikimashita.
English: I have already heard that news.
Example #4
医者が着いた時には、すでに手遅れだった。
Furigana: いしゃ、つ、とき、てお、
Romaji: Isha ga tsuita toki ni wa, sudeni teokure datta.
English: By the time the doctor arrived, it was already too late.
Example #5
彼女はすでに結婚しています。
Furigana: かのじょ、けっこん、
Romaji: Kanojo wa sudeni kekkon shite imasu.
English: She is already married.
Example #6
試験の結果はすでに発表されています。
Furigana: しけん、けっか、はっぴょう、
Romaji: Shiken no kekka wa sudeni happyō sarete imasu.
English: The results of the exam have already been announced.
Example #7
日本に来てから、すでに５年が経った。
Furigana: にほん、き、ごねん、た、
Romaji: Nihon ni kite kara, sudeni gonen ga tatta.
English: Five years have already passed since I came to Japan.
Example #8
チケットはすでに売り切れました。
Furigana: う、き、
Romaji: Chiketto wa sudeni urikiremashita.
English: The tickets are already sold out.
Example #9
宿題はすでに終わりました。
Furigana: しゅくだい、お、
Romaji: Shukudai wa sudeni owarimashita.
English: I have already finished my homework.
Example #10
あの建物はすでに壊されました。
Furigana: たてもの、こ、
Romaji: Ano tatemono wa sudeni kowasaremashita.
English: That building has already been demolished.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Objectivity
‘Sudeni’ focuses on the objective fact that a state exists or an action is finished.
Example: すでに解決した。 (It is already resolved.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ すでに昼ご飯を食べた？
✅ もう昼ご飯を食べた？
‘Sudeni’ sounds too stiff and unnatural for a casual question with a friend. Use ‘mou’ instead.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Formal/Academic. It conveys a sense of objectivity and seriousness.
Social Situations: Used in business or official announcements.
Regional Variations: Standard across all Japanese regions.

🔍 Subtle Differences

すでに vs. もう (mou)
‘Sudeni’ is formal and objective; ‘mou’ is casual and can express subjective emotion (like surprise or impatience).
When to use: Use ‘sudeni’ in writing/formal speech; use ‘mou’ in daily conversation.

📝 Conjugation Notes

As an adverb, it does not conjugate. It is placed before the verb or adjective it modifies.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced with a flat intonation or a slight drop after ‘su’. Avoid over-emphasizing the ‘ni’.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of ‘Sudeni’ as the formal sibling of ‘Mou’. If you are writing an essay or a business email, swap ‘mou’ for ‘sudeni’ to sound more professional.

Other Grammar

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