Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Using もう and まだ

もう and まだ have different meanings depending on if the ending verb is negative or affirmative.

Here is the first way you can use them:
もう〜affirmative = already
まだ〜negative = not yet

Here are some examples:
A: ばんごはんをもうたべましたか。
   Have you already eaten dinner?
B: いいえ、まだたべていません。
No, I have not eaten yet.
OR
B: はい、もうたべました。
Yes, I have already eaten.

A: このクラスをもうとりましたか。
Have you already taken this class?
B: いいえ、まだとっていません。
No, I have not taken it yet.
OR
B: はい、もうとりました。
Yes, I have already taken it.

The second way to use them is this:
もう〜negative = not anymore
まだ〜affirmative = still

Here are some examples:
A: あのレストランでまだアルバイトをしていますか。
Do you still work part time at that restaurant? 
B: いいえ、もうしていません。
No, not anymore.
OR
B: はい、まだしています。
Yes, I am still doing it.

A: あのひとがまだすきですか。
Do you still like that person?
B: いいえ、もうすきじゃありません。
No, I don't like them anymore.
OR
B: はい、まだすきです。
Yes, I still like them.

3 comments:

  1. Finally, an explanation that makes sense. Thank you!!!!!!!

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  2. Thank so you so much, it is very clear!

    ReplyDelete
  3. They do not have different meanings at all. もう means a situation has changed, まだ means the situation remains the same.
    もうたべましたか = has situation changed: not eaten=>eaten?
    もうたべました = situation has changed: not eaten=>eaten
    まだたべていません = situation is the same: not eaten=>not eaten
    あのひとがまだすきですか = is situation the same: like=>like
    まだすきです = situation is the same (like=>like)
    もうすきじゃありません = situation has changed: like= dislike

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