อยู่แล้ว

Already the Case

Level 2

อยู่แล้ว (yùu-láew) follows the predicate in these examples. Depending on context, it presents a situation as already established or emphasizes the speaker's certainty. English translations can include 'already,' 'all along,' or 'of course.'

How It Works

The phrase อยู่แล้ว has aspectual uses and a conversational use expressing the speaker's certainty. It is composed of อยู่ (used to present a situation as existing at a reference time) and แล้ว. The combination can present an established situation; its discourse use expresses the speaker's certainty. That certainty is not an objective guarantee.

Read the supplied examples in context:

  • Already Established Knowledge: Used with verbs like 'to know' (รู้) to say 'I already knew that' or, where context supports it, 'I've known that all along.' This does not say knowledge lasted a lifetime.
  • Already Established Qualities: Used with adjectives to show a quality is already present, such as 'She is already beautiful.' It does not itself specify whether the quality is innate or involves makeup.
  • Speaker Certainty: Used to confirm that the speaker treats something as settled or certain, as in the supplied 'Of course!' reading.

The supplied polite example ends with ครับ. Compare ค่ะ. Polite endings depend on the speaker and setting; they are not a requirement of this construction.

Examples (5)

  1. รู้อยู่แล้ว

    I knew that already.

    Word by Word: know + stay + already

    The knowledge is presented as already held at the relevant point; the context supplies the English tense.

  2. แน่นอนอยู่แล้ว

    Of course! / Certainly!

    Word by Word: certain + stay + already

    The speaker uses this response to affirm certainty: 'Of course!'

  3. เขาสวยอยู่แล้ว

    She is already beautiful.

    Word by Word: she + beautiful + stay + already

    The quality is presented as already present. Makeup, effort or innate beauty would need additional context.

  4. ผมไปอยู่แล้วครับ

    I'm going anyway / I'm definitely going.

    Word by Word: I + go + stay + already + [polite]

    In the intended reading here, the speaker treats going as settled; the context supplies 'anyway' or 'definitely.'

  5. มีอยู่แล้ว

    I already have it.

    Word by Word: have + stay + already

    The speaker presents having it as already established, for example in response to an offer.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the tone mark in แล้ว.

    กินแลว
    กินแล้ว

    Write แล้ว with the tone mark ้. Add the missing mark in กินแลว to make กินแล้ว.

  • Omitting the tone mark in อยู่.

    เขานอนอยู
    เขานอนอยู่

    Write อยู่ with the tone mark ่. Add the missing mark in เขานอนอยู to make เขานอนอยู่.

How It Connects

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

อยู่แล้วLevel 2Already the Case

Learn This First

To understand 'อยู่แล้ว', you need to be familiar with the individual meanings of 'อยู่' (indicating a state or ongoing action) and 'แล้ว' (indicating completion or an 'already' status). Combining them creates the nuance that something has been true all along or is naturally expected to be expected.

Words in This Pattern

อยู่