Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering すでに (Sudeni): The Japanese Adverb for “Already”

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

The basic meaning of すでに is “already” or “by now”. It indicates that a state or action has been completed or has occurred at some point before the current or reference time.

🎯 Primary Function

Its primary function is to emphasize the completion or prior existence of a state or action.

📋 Grammar Structure

Adverb. Placed before the verb or noun phrase it modifies. Most commonly used with verbs in the past tense (〜た), perfective form (〜ている), or noun phrases indicating a completed state (〜済み).

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Commonly used in formal writing and speech to state facts about completed actions or existing states.

😊 Informal Situations

Less frequently used in very casual conversation compared to もう, but acceptable.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in written Japanese (news articles, reports, formal documents).

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in spoken Japanese, especially in situations requiring clarity or slight formality.

💡 Common Applications

Indicating completion of an action
Used with the past tense (〜た) or perfective form (〜ている, 〜済み) of verbs to show something is finished.
Example: プロジェクトはすでに完了しました。 (The project has already been completed.)
Describing an existing state
Used to indicate that a certain state or condition has been in effect since before the reference time.
Example: その情報はすでに知っています。 (I already know that information.)
Highlighting a situation reaching a point
Used to show that a situation has reached a certain status or limit.
Example: 定員はすでに満員です。 (The capacity is already full.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent, especially in written Japanese and slightly formal spoken contexts.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (N3). The nuance compared to もう can be tricky for learners.
Example Sentences
会議はすでに始まっていますよ。
The meeting has already started.
彼はすでにチケットを買いました。
He has already bought the ticket.
予約はすでに締め切られました。
Reservations have already been closed.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Emphasis on completion
すでによりも「完了した状態」や「既にそうなっている事実」を強調するニュアンスがあります。
Example: 彼女はすでに到着しています。(She has already arrived. – Focus on the state of having arrived.)
Often used with perfective/past forms
Typically precedes verbs in 〜た form, 〜ている form, or nouns ending in 〜済み to indicate a completed state or action.
Example: 申請書はすでに提出済みです。(The application form has already been submitted.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it identically to もう in all situations.
✅ Understand the subtle difference in nuance, especially in casual speech.
While often interchangeable, すでに tends to be more factual/formal about completion, while もう can add nuances like “sooner than expected” or “anymore”.
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral to slightly formal.
Social Situations: Suitable for most situations, especially when stating facts or reporting status.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in meaning or usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

すでに vs もう
すでには完了や既成の事実を客観的に述べることが多い。もうは完了に加えて「予想より早い」「これ以上〜ない」などの意味も含む。
When to use: Use すでに when the focus is purely on the state of completion or prior existence. Use もう when you want to express “already” potentially with surprise, or for meanings like “anymore” or “another”.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

すでには副詞なので活用しません。修飾する動詞は過去形や完了形になることが多いです。

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced with a standard three morae rhythm: su-de-ni. The “u” in “su” is often devoiced in rapid speech.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 既に (ki ni) as the kanji form, where 既 means “already”. Associate すでに with “Status Established, DEninitely NIce” (a silly mnemonic) or focus on its use with finished actions (た/ている).

Practice Exercises
来月、日本へ行きます。ホテルは____予約しました。
まだ
これから
いつも
すでに
宿題は____終わりましたか。
まだ
もう
すぐ
たまに
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