もう〜た

already ...(done)

1. Overview

「もう〜た」 is a grammatical structure used in Japanese to indicate that an action has already been completed. It emphasizes that something has happened or that a certain state has been reached, often with a sense of finality or immediacy.

2. Structure

• Grammar Structure:

  • もう + Verb (た-form)

• Explanation:

  • The phrase combines the word 「もう」 (meaning "already") with the verb in its た-form (past tense), signifying that the action has been completed.

3. Usage Explanation

• Attachment:

  • The structure attaches to verbs in their past tense form, indicating that the action has been completed prior to the current time.

• Usage:

  • Commonly used in everyday conversation to inform someone that a particular action has already taken place.

• Translation:

  • Translates to "already" or "have (done)" in English.

4. Example Sentences

1. もう食べた？
   (Have you already eaten?)

2. もう宿題を終わった。
   (I have already finished my homework.)

3. 彼はもう帰った。
   (He has already gone home.)

4. もう映画を見た。
   (I have already watched the movie.)

5. もうそれを知っている。
   (I already know that.)

5. Key Points to Note

• Context:

  • Use this structure to convey that an action is completed, often in response to inquiries about whether something has been done.

• Emphasis:

  • The use of 「もう」 adds a sense of urgency or immediacy to the completion of the action.

6. Summary

「もう〜た」 is a useful expression to indicate that an action has been completed, emphasizing the state of completion in a conversational context. It is widely used in daily Japanese to express finality or to respond to questions regarding the completion of actions.