早已

zǎo yǐ

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Adverb Uncommon

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Definitions

1. for a long time; long since
2. (dialect) in the past

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 方才 fāng cái 方才 fāng cái just now 表示刚刚发生，与早已相对: just now

Synonyms

2 items

• 已经 yǐ jīng 已经 yǐ jīng already 表示动作、变化完成或达到某种程度，早已更强调时间久: already
• 早就 zǎo jiù 早就 zǎo jiù already at an earlier time 口语中常用，意思相近: already at an earlier time

Usage notes

Common mistakes

早已表示事情在很久以前就已经发生，不能用于将来时。例如，不能说“我早已去”，而要说“我早就计划好了”。

Formality

早已多用于书面语或正式场合，口语中更常用“早就”。

Grammar

Guides that feature 早已

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 7 min

Time Adverbs 曾经, 早已, 时刻, 立刻, 连忙 and 急忙

Talk about what you once did with 曾经, what happened long ago with 早已, what you always keep in mind with 时刻, and how fast someone acts with 立刻, 连忙 and 急忙.

Reading: zǎo yǐ Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

他 早已 离开了。

He left a long time ago.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 早已

• 已 已 yǐ: already
• 早 早 zǎo: early