もう

• Reading: もう
• Romaji: mou
• Pronunciation: /moː/

Meaning

Already; yet; by now. With negatives: not any more; not any longer.

A high-frequency adverb with two main uses: indicating completion (もう食べた = already ate) and indicating cessation with negatives (もう食べない = won't eat anymore). Can also express exasperation (もう!) or mean 'soon' in some contexts.

Examples

1. もう宿題は終わりましたか。 Have you finished your homework already?
2. 朝ごはんはもう食べました。 I already ate breakfast.
3. もう遅いから寝ましょう。 It's already late, so let's go to bed.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, conversation, questions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From classical Japanese, related to the concept of reaching a point in time. The word has maintained its core meaning of temporal completion since the Heian period.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal