že, še, šele

Already Still and Not Until

Level 4

Že marks an earlier-than-expected or completed stage, še continuation or addition, and šele a later-than-expected threshold.

How It Works

Že marks an earlier-than-expected or completed stage, še continuation or addition, and šele a later-than-expected threshold. Negation changes the natural English rendering.

Ana še dela continues an earlier activity; Ana že dela says work has begun. Ana dela šele jutri delays its start to tomorrow. These particles change the listener's expectations, not merely the calendar time.

Examples (3)

  1. Ana je že doma.

    Ana is already at home.

  2. Ana še dela.

    Ana is still working.

  3. Ana pride šele jutri.

    Ana is not coming until tomorrow.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

že, še, šeleLevel 4Already Still and Not Until

Learn This First

Use a time reference before expressing earlier, continued or delayed expectations.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

še