もう

Already/anymore

Level 2Sounds Like mou

もう signals that a situation has transitioned from one state to another. It is used to say 'already,' 'yet' (in questions), 'no longer,' 'more,' 'again,' or to express frustration.

How It Works

もう is a versatile adverb with several primary functions based on the context:

1. Already / Yet (Change in State): Indicates a state has been reached. In affirmative sentences, it means "already" (the action is complete). In questions, it asks "yet" (has the state changed?).
Example: もう食べましたか（もうたべましたか）(Have you eaten yet?)
Example: もう十一時だ（もうじゅういちじだ）(It is already 11:00).
Contrast with まだ: While もう shows a change in state, まだ shows a continuation of a state (still / not yet). Answering Negatively: To answer a もう question negatively, you must use まだ. For example, to answer 「もう食べましたか」, say 「いいえ、まだです」 or 「いいえ、まだ食べていません（いいえ、まだたべていません）」.

2. Imminence (About to happen): When used with non-past verbs, it indicates that an action is just about to happen or is starting now.
Example: もう始まります（もうはじまります）(It is about to start / It's starting now).

3. No Longer / Anymore: When used with a negative verb or adjective, it indicates a previous state has ceased.
Example: もう若くない（もうわかくない）(I'm no longer young).

4. More / Another / Again vs. Already (with numbers): もう + Number can mean either "more/another" or "already." They are primarily distinguished by pitch accent, though context and verb tense also help:
- Already: Pronounced with a drop in pitch (Atamadaka). Example: もう一時間待ちました（もういちじかんまちました）- I already waited one hour.
- More / Another: Pronounced flat/rising (Heiban). This can be used with non-past verbs (e.g., "I will wait one more hour") or past tense verbs to indicate an additional completed action. Example: もう一杯飲んだ（もういっぱいのんだ）- I drank another cup.
Example: もう一つ（もうひとつ）(One more).
Example: もう一度（もういちど）(One more time / Again).
Example: もう少し（もうすこし）/ もうちょっと (A little more).

5. Soon / Shortly: Often paired with すぐ to mean "very soon."
Example: もうすぐ着きます（もうすぐつきます）(I will arrive very soon).

6. Sufficiency: Used to express that something is enough or finished.
Example: もういいです (That's enough / I'm fine).

7. Interjection: Used alone to express frustration or impatience, similar to "Geez!" or "Enough!"

Nuance Note: In formal writing, you might see すでに used for "already," but もう is the standard for daily life.

Examples (5)

  1. <grammar expression="もう">もう</grammar>宿題をしました。

    I already did my homework.

    Word by Word: Already homework (object) did.

    Here, もう is used with a past-tense verb to show the action is complete.

  2. <grammar expression="もう">もう</grammar>昼ご飯を食べました<grammar expression="か">か</grammar>。

    Have you eaten lunch yet?

    Word by Word: Already lunch (object) ate question.

    In questions, もう asks if a change of state has happened "yet".

  3. <grammar expression="もう">もう</grammar>お腹がいっぱいです<grammar expression="から">から</grammar>、<grammar expression="もう">もう</grammar>食べられ<grammar expression="ません">ません</grammar>。

    I'm already full, so I can't eat anymore.

    Word by Word: Already stomach (subject) full because, anymore cannot eat.

    The first もう means "already" (state reached), and the second もう with a negative verb means "anymore" (change in ability).

  4. すみません、<grammar expression="もう">もう</grammar>一度言って<grammar expression="ください">ください</grammar>。

    Excuse me, please say it one more time.

    Word by Word: Excuse me, more one-time say please.

    When placed before a counter like 一度（いちど - one time）, and paired with a non-past request, it means "one more time" or "again".

  5. <grammar expression="もう">もう</grammar>一時間待ち<grammar expression="ました">ました</grammar>。

    I already waited for one hour.

    Word by Word: Already one-hour waited.

    When もう is placed before a number, the meaning depends heavily on pitch accent. Pronounced with a drop in pitch (Atamadaka), this sentence means "I already waited for one hour." If pronounced flat (Heiban), the exact same written sentence would mean "I waited one more hour."

Common Mistakes

  • Using もう to mean 'not yet'.

    もう食べていません。
    まだ食べていません。

    To say 'not yet,' you must use まだ. Using もう with a negative state like 'haven't eaten' actually implies 'I am no longer eating' or 'I'm not eating anymore.'

  • Using もう instead of もっと for qualitative 'more'.

    もう速く走ってください。
    もっと速く走ってください。

    Use もう for quantities (one more, two more). Use もっと for degrees or qualities (faster, more beautiful, more delicious).

How It Connects

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もうLevel 2Already/anymore

Learn This First

To understand 'もう' (already/anymore), you need to be familiar with basic sentence structure and verb usage. It is most commonly paired with the past tense (た form) to indicate that something has already happened, or with negative verbs to indicate that something is no longer happening.

Words in This Pattern