Mō vs Mada: Already, Still, Not Yet and No Longer in Japanese

Have you eaten yet? Answering that question correctly in Japanese depends on one word, one verb form and a rule that trips up almost every learner once.

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What you need to know

Mō vs Mada: Already, Still, Not Yet and No Longer in Japanese

Mō and mada are two small adverbs that describe where something stands on a timeline. Combined with a positive or negative verb, they give four meanings: already, no longer, still and not yet. The most common mistake is the not yet answer, which needs the te imasen form rather than a simple past negative. This guide covers the four combinations, the rule behind mada te imasen, the everyday extensions mō sukoshi, mō ichido and mō sugu, and the one-word replies that make up a surprising amount of real conversation.

Mō with a positive verb means already; with a negative, no longer

Mada with a positive verb means still; with a negative, not yet

Not yet takes te imasen: mada tabete imasen, not mada tabemasen deshita

Mō also means more, as in mō sukoshi and mō ichido

Four meanings from two words

Think of a moment of change: starting to eat, arriving, getting better. Mō says the change has happened. Mada says it has not. Whether the verb after them is positive or negative then gives you four combinations.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
もう食べました。Mō tabemashita.I have already eaten.
もう痛くないです。Mō itakunai desu.It does not hurt anymore.
まだ雨が降っています。Mada ame ga futte imasu.It is still raining.
まだ食べていません。Mada tabete imasen.I have not eaten yet.
AdverbVerbMeaning
MōPositive, usually pastAlready
MōNegativeNo longer, not anymore
MadaPositiveStill
MadaNegative, usually te imasenNot yet

Already with mō

Mō with a past verb says something has happened sooner than expected or is simply done. It is also the standard way to ask whether something has happened yet: mō … mashita ka.

In a question, mō does the job of English yet, which is why learners sometimes look for a separate word and do not find one.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
もう宿題、終わりましたか。Mō shukudai, owarimashita ka.Have you finished your homework yet?
もう始まっていますよ。Mō hajimatte imasu yo.It has already started.
もう十時ですね。Mō jūji desu ne.It is already ten o'clock.
え、もう帰るんですか。E, mō kaeru n desu ka.What, you are going home already?

Not yet needs te imasen

When someone asks mō tabemashita ka, the natural negative answer is iie, mada tabete imasen, or simply mada desu. Learners often answer iie, tabemasen deshita, which sounds like you are describing a specific past occasion when you did not eat, not saying the eating is still to come.

The te imasen form works because not yet is a continuing state: up to now, the change has not happened, and it still may. Mada tabemasen, with the plain non-past negative, means something different again: I am not going to eat yet.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
いいえ、まだ食べていません。Iie, mada tabete imasen.No, I have not eaten yet.
まだ決めていません。Mada kimete imasen.I have not decided yet.
メール、まだ読んでいません。Mēru, mada yonde imasen.I have not read the email yet.
まだ食べません。Mada tabemasen.I am not going to eat yet.

Still and no longer

Mada with a positive verb or adjective means still: a situation continues. Mō with a negative means no longer: a situation has ended. They are natural opposites and often appear together in the same conversation.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
まだ熱がありますか。Mada netsu ga arimasu ka.Do you still have a fever?
いいえ、もう熱はありません。Iie, mō netsu wa arimasen.No, I do not have a fever anymore.
まだ東京に住んでいますか。Mada Tōkyō ni sunde imasu ka.Do you still live in Tokyo?
もうあの店には行きません。Mō ano mise ni wa ikimasen.I do not go to that shop anymore.
まだ時間がありますよ。Mada jikan ga arimasu yo.There is still time.

Mō for more, and other everyday uses

Before a quantity, mō means more or another. This is one of the most useful words in shops, restaurants and lessons, because it lets you ask for another item or a repeat without any new grammar.

Mō sugu means soon, and it is common for arrivals, events and seasons.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
もう一度お願いします。Mō ichido onegaishimasu.Once more, please.
もう少しゆっくり話してください。Mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai.Please speak a little more slowly.
ビールをもう一杯ください。Bīru o mō ippai kudasai.Another beer, please.
もうすぐ着きます。Mō sugu tsukimasu.We will arrive soon.
もういいです。Mō ii desu.That is enough, thank you.

Mō ichido onegaishimasu is the single most useful phrase for a learner in a real conversation. It buys you a second chance to understand.

The short replies you will actually hear

Much real use of mō and mada happens in one or two words, with the meaning carried by intonation. A rising mō? is surprise that something happened so soon. A rising mada? can be surprise that something has not happened, or impatience. Mada desu and mō desu ka are the polite versions.

Mō on its own with a falling, exasperated tone is a complaint, roughly honestly or come on.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
もう？早いね。Mō? Hayai ne.Already? That was quick.
まだ？Mada?Not yet? or Still?
まだです。Mada desu.Not yet.
もうですか。Mō desu ka.Already?
まだまだです。Mada mada desu.I still have a long way to go.
もう！Mō!Oh, come on!
Key points

A practical way to improve

Ask yourself five mō … mashita ka questions about today, such as have you had lunch, have you replied to the email, have you taken your medicine, and answer each truthfully with hai, mō … mashita or iie, mada … te imasen. Then practise the same exchange with your AI Sensei in Unihongo's 3D classroom, where the questions come without warning and the te imasen form has to come out quickly.

  1. 1

    Choose one clear goal

    Focus each session on a situation or skill you can actually use.

  2. 2

    Practice actively

    Say complete answers aloud instead of only reading or recognizing Japanese.

  3. 3

    Review and repeat

    Keep useful corrections and revisit the same skill until it feels natural.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I say not yet in Japanese?

Mada desu on its own, or the full form mada plus the te imasen form of the verb: mada tabete imasen, I have not eaten yet. Mada tabemasen deshita sounds wrong as an answer to have you eaten yet, because it describes a finished past event rather than a state that continues now.

What is the difference between mō and mada?

Mō means a change has happened: already, or no longer. Mada means the change has not happened: still, or not yet. The verb being positive or negative decides which of the two meanings you get.

What does mō ii mean?

It means that is enough, or I am fine now, and the tone decides whether it is polite or annoyed. Mō ii desu with a smile declines more food. Mō ii! said sharply means forget it.

What does mada mada desu mean?

Literally still, still. It is the standard modest reply to a compliment on your Japanese or a skill: I still have a long way to go. It is more natural than saying thank you and agreeing.

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