まだ and もう
まだ and もう are two adverbs that are a little confusing for Japanese beginners, due to them having a range of almost, but not quite the same meanings.
まだ
Affirmative – Still
Negative – Not yet
Negative Present Progressive – Still haven’t
Not Yet
まだ is an adverb that means “still” it is commonly used with the negative to mean “not yet“
- まだ食べない – won’t eat yet
- まだしない – won’t do yet
Still
It can also be used in the affirmative to mean “Still”:
- 彼はまだ働ている。- He is still working.
- 私はまだ食べている - I am still eating.
- まだ食べる？ – Are you still going to eat?
Still Haven’t
When used with the negative progressive it means still haven’t
- まだしていない – I still haven’t done it.
- 彼はまだ食べていない – He still hasn’t eaten.
もう
もう
Past – Already did
Present – About to do
Progressive – Already doing
Negative – Already not doing (not anymore)
Already
- もう is an adverb that means “already“. It is usually used with the past tense.
- もうやりました。-Already did it.
- もう食べました。- Already ate.
About to do
When used with present/future tense, it means “already doing/going to do/about to do”
- もうします。Already do → I’m about to do it
- もうやめます – Already quitting → I’m quitting now.
Already Doing
With present progressive verbs, it means “already doing”
- もうやっています – I’m already doing it.
- もう知っている – I already know.
Not anymore
It can also be used with a negative to indicate “already not doing” “not anymore“
- もう遊んでいません – I’m not playing anymore.
- 彼はもうあきらめません – He’s not going to give up anymore.
- もうしていません。I’m not doing it anymore. -> I’m already not doing it.
Exasperation もう
This one is different from the rest. I thought it might cause confusion so I’m listing it here. This もう just shows exasperation.
- もうやめてください – Stop it already.