Structure
もう + (Past) Phrase
もう + (Negative) Phrase
Details
Part of Speech
Adverb
Word Type
Ordinary
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Standard
About もう
In English, もう is regularly translated to 'already', or 'anymore', depending on if it is used in a positive-past (already), or negative (anymore) sentence. The reason that Japanese only requires one word for both of these nuances is due to もう literally meaning 'something has unexpectedly ended'.
From these sentences we can see that もう can be translated in each case as the following.
(Past) - Although expected to not be done, it is. 'Already', in English.
(Negative) - Although expected to still be going, it isn't. 'Anymore', in English.
This is the opposite of まだ, which means 'something is unexpectedly still going'.
もう may also be used to ask questions. This is when the speaker thinks that something 'might' have ended, but wants to confirm.
Fun Fact
もう is often used simply as an expression of exasperation (giving up on arguing), to show that someone has already reached the point of not wanting to continue.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
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もう学校に行きましたか。
Did you already go to school?
もうその本を読んだ。
I have already read that book.
もうコーヒーを作りました。
I already made coffee.
もうしました。
I already did it.
もう帰った。
They already went home.
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Online
「もう」VS「もっと」
Imabi
★もう already: with affirmative sentences
Maggie Sensei
Offline
[DBJG] Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 254
Marugoto Elementary 1 (A2) Rikai
Page 80
Marugoto Elementary 2 (A2) Rikai
Page 80
みんなの日本語 I
Page 50 [CH 7]
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もう – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (8 in total)
max99x
Good to know! Thanks!
mrnoone
No problemo, and also,
HEY AND WELCOME ON THE COMMUNITY FORUMS
maxduff
Hello everyone,
I have trouble understanding the structure of the sentence :犬の散歩もうしました。
At first I tried to input 犬の散歩はもうしました。but it was incorrect.
Why is there no particle before もう ? I can see no conjunction between 犬の散歩 and the rest of the sentence. I couldn’t find any other example of もう not following a particle, except at the beginning of a clause. Sorry if it’s a dumb question but I’m a beginner and it doesn’t make sense to me
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