Want to say you’ve already done something or that you haven’t yet? Need to talk about something that is still happening, or that won’t happen anymore? In Japanese, the adverbs もう and まだ are key tools for expressing time-based changes and states. These simple words can express “already,” “still,” “not yet,” and “not anymore” depending on context.
もう / まだ
Already / Not anymore / Still / Not yet
Usage Pattern
もう + [positive verb] = already
もう + [negative verb] = not anymore / no longer
まだ + [positive verb or adjective] = still
まだ + [negative verb] = not yet
Details
JLPT Level: N5
How to Use It
Use もう when something has already happened or is no longer the case. When used with a positive verb or adjective, it means “already.” When paired with a negative verb, it means “not anymore.” Use まだ when something is still true or hasn’t happened yet. It can be paired with either positive or negative forms depending on the meaning. With the ている form, まだ emphasizes something that is ongoing or still incomplete.
Want A Deeper Explanation?
Example 1
もう宿題をしました。
もう しゅくだい を しました。
Mō shukudai o shimashita.
I already did my homework.
Example 2
もう見たくないです。
もう みたく ない です。
Mō mitaku nai desu.
I don’t want to see it anymore.
Example 3
まだ食べていません。
まだ たべて いません。。
Mada tabete imasen.
I haven’t eaten yet.