もう (mou)

Meaning & usage

もう is an adverb meaning already when used with affirmative past or completed actions, as in もう食べた, and no longer or not anymore when used with negatives, as in もういらない. It is placed directly before a verb, adjective, or noun phrase, such as もうこんな時間, and it can stand alone as an exclamation to show impatience or exasperation. With negatives it often pairs with past or present forms to stress that a state has ended.

Example sentences 4

1. もうおいとまする時間じかんです。

   It is time I was going.

2. あ、もうこんな時間。行かなきゃ。

   Oh, it's already this late. I have to go.

3. その本はもう読んでしまった。

   I have already read the book.

4. もうヘトヘトです。

   I'm exhausted.