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Lesson

Already (已经…了)

1. Explain it simply

已经 goes before the verb and 了 closes the sentence: Subject 已经 + verb phrase + 了.

他已经回家了 means 'He has already gone home'.

已经 and 了 work as a pair.

2. Show examples

他已经回家了。

Tā yǐjīng huí jiā le.

He has already gone home.

已经 + verb + 了

我已经吃饭了。

Wǒ yǐjīng chī fàn le.

I have already eaten.

已经 before the verb

我们已经学了两年了。

Wǒmen yǐjīng xué le liǎng nián le.

We have already studied for two years.

已经 with a duration

3. Share a tip

已经 pairs with 了 at the end, and 已经 goes before the verb — never after it.