already
gb/ɔlɹˈɛdi/ us/ɔlɹˈɛdi/
A2
English
~ 300
már, máris
A2
1
már
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] already [verb]
I have already eaten lunch.
Már megebédeltem.
She had already left when I arrived.
Már elment, mire megérkeztem.
They already knew the news before I told them.
We were already late when the bus broke down.
It was already dark when we reached the campsite.
Learner examples
I already know the answer.
Már tudom a választ.
He is already at school.
Már az iskolában van.
The movie has already started.
She has already finished her homework.
It is already cold outside.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'already' with 'yet'. 'Already' is used for things that have happened, while 'yet' is used in negative sentences and questions for things that have not happened.
Meaning
Before now or earlier than expected
Collocations
already happened
|already finished
|already done
|already seen
|already gone
Synonyms
previously (More formal and often used in written contexts to mean before now.)
|
earlier (Can refer to any time before a point in time, not just before now.)
Antonyms
yet (Used to talk about something that has not happened up to now.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used when something happened before now or sooner than you thought.
Used to say that something happened before now or earlier than expected.
B1
2
máris
A2
What, you're leaving already?
Mi az, máris indulsz?
Is it midnight already? Time flies!
Máris éjfél van? Hogy repül az idő!
You’ve finished your homework already? That was quick.
Learner examples
You are back already?
Máris visszajöttél?
It is morning already?
Máris reggel van?
She is done already?
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'already' without realizing it can show surprise, not just timing.
Meaning
So soon; earlier than expected, with surprise
Collocations
so early already
|finished already
|home already
Synonyms
so soon (Directly indicates a short time has passed before something happens.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|emotions
|communication
Definition
Used when you are surprised something happened so soon.
Used to express surprise that something has happened sooner than expected.
B2
INFORMAL
3
már
B1
Enough already! I can't take any more noise.
Elég már! Nem bírom tovább ezt a zajt.
Just tell me the answer already!
Mondd már meg a választ!
Stop arguing already and make a decision.
Learner examples
Come here already!
Gyere már ide!
Stop talking already!
Hagyd már abba a beszédet!
Let's go already!
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense in formal contexts where it sounds rude or too casual.
Meaning
For emphasis, often expressing impatience
Collocations
enough already
|stop it already
Synonyms
for goodness' sake (Expresses frustration or urgency, but more exclamatory.)
Themes
emotions
|conversation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to make your words stronger, often when you are not happy or want something to happen soon.
Used informally to add emphasis, especially to show impatience or annoyance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
already
IPA
GB/ɔlɹˈɛdi/
US/ɔlɹˈɛdi/
Syllables & stress
already (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: already
- Plural: alreadies
Word family
Forms
alreadies
noun
Expressions
already taken
1/ɔlɹˈɛdi tˈeɪkən/
fixed phrase
Not available; chosen earlier
Used to say something is not free because someone has it or chose it first.
Examples
- Sorry, that seat is already taken.
- The job is already taken, so you can’t apply.
enough already
1/ɪnˈʌf ɔlɹˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
informal
Stop doing that now
A way to tell someone to stop because it is too much or annoying.
Examples
- Enough already! We’ve heard that story three times.
- Enough already, I can’t listen to this argument any longer.