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What is the Kanji for 'Already' and 'Previously'? | 既

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Already' and 'Previously', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Already' and 'Previously' is 既.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Already, Previously

    Reading

    kunyomiすで

    sude

    onyomi

    ki

    Parts

    Fang, Tusk Stopping

    Example Word

    既に: already. The Japanese adverb '既に (すでに)' means 'already'. It is used to indicate that something has happened or been completed before the present moment or a specified time. This adverb often conveys a sense of something being settled or irreversible. For example: He has already left「彼は既に出発した」(かれはすでにしゅっぱつした). The train has already departed「電車は既に出発した」(でんしゃはすでにしゅっぱつした). It can also imply that something is too late or has passed the point of no return, as in 'It's already too late to change plans「既に計画を変えるには遅すぎる」(すでにけいかくをかえるにはおそすぎる)'. Note that '既に' is often used in formal or written contexts, while 'もう' is more common in casual speech.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    8

    Frequency

    891

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fang, Tusk

    radical

    Meaning

    Stopping

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 2 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    In general, Approximation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Indignant, Sigh

Words Using

This kanji is used in 2 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 3 kanji contain the part 牙 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wicked

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bud, Sprout

    kanji

    Meaning

    Elegance, Elegant

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 11 kanji contain the part 艮 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Silver

    kanji

    退

    Meaning

    Retreat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Good

    kanji

    Meaning

    Instant, Immediate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Limit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Root

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eyeball

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hometown

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grudge

    kanji

    Meaning

    Baron, Rank of nobility

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mark, Foot print

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 既 mean?

既 means 'Already' and 'Previously'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.