Usage of 已
The character 已 (yǐ) is commonly used as an adverb meaning "already" or "no longer". It often appears before verbs or verb phrases to indicate that an action has been completed or a state has changed.
Common Collocations
- 已经 (yǐjīng): the most frequent form, meaning "already".
- 已开始 (yǐ kāishǐ): "already started".
- 已完成 (yǐ wánchéng): "already completed".
Notes
已 is formal and often used in written or formal spoken Chinese. It is less casual than just using 了 alone to indicate completion. When combined with 了 (le), it emphasizes the completion or change of state.
Avoid confusing 已 with 以 (yǐ), which means "to use" or "by means of". They sound the same but have different meanings and usages.