已经 yǐ jīng
“already”
adverbHSK 2 · 2021 list level 2Traditional 已經
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
已经 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 473: 已经 yǐjīng — Level 2; official annotation 2 (副). PDF page 91
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 已经
已经 means "already". It is used before a verb or adjective to show that an action is completed or a situation has reached a new state. It commonly appears with 了 at the end of the sentence.
例句Example sentences
- 我已经吃早饭了。wǒ yǐ jīng chī zǎo fàn le.I have already eaten breakfast.
- 他已经在学校了。tā yǐ jīng zài xué xiào le.He is already at school.
- 现在已经十点了。xiàn zài yǐ jīng shí diǎn le.It is already ten o'clock now.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我已经吃饭。
✓我已经吃饭了。
已经 usually pairs with 了 to mark a completed action or changed state.
易混词Easily confused
已经vs曾经
曾经 means "once" or "used to" for past experience, often with 过; 已经 means "already" and often pairs with 了.