hali

Still and Not Yet

Level 2

Hali means still: Hali vaqt bor (There's still time). With a negative verb it means not yet: Hali kelmadi (He hasn't come yet).

How It Works

Hali looks at a situation that has not changed yet. What it means depends on the rest of the sentence.

1. Still. In a positive sentence, hali means still:

  • Hali vaqt bor. (There's still time.)
  • Bola hali kichkina. (The child is still small.)
  • Kitobni hali oʻqiyapman. (I'm still reading the book.)

Hali ham makes it stronger, a bit like even now: Hali ham shu yerdami? (Is she still here?)

2. Not yet. With a negative verb, hali means not yet:

  • Hali kelmadi. (He hasn't come yet.)
  • Men hali tushlik qilmadim. (I haven't had lunch yet.)

Uzbek also has a special form for not yet, -gani yoʻq: U hali kelgani yoʻq (He hasn't come yet). Both are common.

3. Just now. With a positive past verb, hali can also mean a short while ago: Hali keldim (I've just arrived). It can also mean soon. This is why not yet always needs a negative verb.

Hali vs hozir vs allaqachon. Hozir means now. Hali means still or not yet. For already, use allaqachon: U allaqachon ketdi (He has already left). For now, from now on and no longer, see endi.

Examples (6)

  1. Hali kelmadi.

    He hasn't come yet.

    Word by Word: Still came-not.

    With a negative verb, hali means not yet.

  2. Hali ham shu yerdami?

    Is she still here?

    Word by Word: Still also this place-at-?

    Hali ham is a stronger still.

  3. Hali vaqt bor.

    There's still time.

    Word by Word: Still time exists.

  4. Men hali tushlik qilmadim.

    I haven't had lunch yet.

    Word by Word: I still lunch did-not-I.

  5. Bola hali kichkina.

    The child is still small.

    Word by Word: Child still small.

  6. Kitobni hali oʻqiyapman.

    I'm still reading the book.

    Word by Word: Book-the still reading-I.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a positive verb for not yet.

    Hali keldi. (meaning: He hasn't come yet)
    Hali kelmadi.

    Hali keldi means He came a moment ago. For not yet, the verb must be negative: kelmadi. You can also say Hali kelgani yoʻq.

  • Mixing up hali and hozir.

    Men hali Toshkentdaman. (meaning: I'm in Tashkent now)
    Men hozir Toshkentdaman.

    Hali means still, so the first sentence says I'm still in Tashkent. For now, use hozir.

  • Using hali for already.

    U hali ketdi. (meaning: He has already left)
    U allaqachon ketdi.

    With a past verb, hali means a moment ago, so U hali ketdi says He left just now. For already, use allaqachon.

How It Connects

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

haliLevel 2Still and Not Yet

Learn This First

Builds on Negative Verbs With -ma-.

Words in This Pattern

haliham