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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

    既

    Meaning

    Already, Previously

    Reading

    kunyomiすで

    sude

    onyomiき

    ki

    Parts

    艮Stopping 牙Fang, Tusk

    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

    无

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    8

    Frequency

    891

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 既

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

    radical

    艮

    Meaning

    Stopping

    kanji

    牙

    Meaning

    Fang, Tusk

既 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 2 other kanji:

    kanji

    概

    Meaning

    In general, Approximation

    kanji

    慨

    Meaning

    Indignant, Sigh

Words Using 既

This kanji is used in 2 words:

    word

    既に

    Meaning

    Already

    word

    既存

    Meaning

    Existing

Kanji Related to 既 Through the Part 艮

These 11 kanji contain the part 艮 as well.

    kanji

    眼

    Meaning

    Eyeball

    kanji

    恨

    Meaning

    Grudge

    kanji

    根

    Meaning

    Root

    kanji

    郷

    Meaning

    Hometown

    kanji

    良

    Meaning

    Good

    kanji

    銀

    Meaning

    Silver

    kanji

    即

    Meaning

    Instant, Immediate

    kanji

    痕

    Meaning

    Mark, Foot print

    kanji

    爵

    Meaning

    Baron, Rank of nobility

    kanji

    限

    Meaning

    Limit

    kanji

    退

    Meaning

    Retreat

Kanji Related to 既 Through the Part 牙

These 3 kanji contain the part 牙 as well.

    kanji

    邪

    Meaning

    Wicked

    kanji

    芽

    Meaning

    Bud, Sprout

    kanji

    雅

    Meaning

    Elegance, Elegant

Learn the Kanji 既

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.