If you’re learning Japanese, you’ve probably come across the words もう and まだ. They might seem simple at first, but these two words can be tricky as they express nuances of time and state. In this blog, we’ll break down the differences between もう and まだ, and how to use them effectively in conversations.

もう: Expressing “Already” or “Soon”

もう generally conveys the sense of something that has already happened, or something that is about to happen. It is used when an action or state is completed or close to completion. Let’s look at a few examples:

• もうご飯を食べました。 (mou gohan o tabe mashita.) — I already ate.
• もう来ますから、準備をしましょう。 (mou kimasu kara, junbi o shimashou.) — They’ll be here soon, so let’s prepare.

In these examples, もう shows either a completed action (“already ate”) or an imminent event (“coming soon”). You can also use もう when you’re emphasizing that something has changed from one state to another.

• もう大丈夫です。 (mou daijoubu desu.) — I’m okay now.

Here, もう highlights the change from not being okay to being okay.

まだ: Expressing “Still” or “Not Yet”

On the other hand, まだ is used to indicate something that is continuing or something that hasn’t happened yet. It suggests a state that is ongoing or incomplete. Here are some examples:

• まだご飯を食べていません。 (mada gohan o tabete imasen.) — I haven’t eaten yet.
• まだベッドにいます。 (mada beddo ni imasu.) — I’m still in bed.

In these examples, まだ shows that something is yet to happen (“not eaten yet”) or is ongoing (“still in bed”). It emphasizes the continuation or lack of change in a situation.

Another common usage is:

• まだ雨が降っていますか。 (mada ame ga futte imasu ka?) — Is it still raining?

Here, まだ highlights that the action (raining) is ongoing.

Comparing もう and まだ

Sometimes, もう and まだ can be used in similar contexts but convey completely different meanings. Let’s see a direct comparison:

• もう終わりました。 (mou owari mashita.) — I’m already finished.
• まだ終わっていません。 (mada owatte imasen.) — I’m not finished yet.

The difference here is that もう implies completion, while まだ implies continuation or incompleteness.

Practice Sentences

To help you master もう and まだ, try translating these sentences into Japanese:

1. I’m still working.
2. He’s already gone home.
3. Is it still open?
4. She hasn’t come yet.

Understanding the difference between もう and まだ is key to sounding natural in Japanese. もう suggests something has happened or changed, while まだ indicates that something is ongoing or incomplete. With practice, these words will become natural parts of your vocabulary, making your Japanese conversations flow smoothly.

If you’d like more practice, try creating your own sentences using もう and まだ and share them in the comments. Let’s keep learning together!