已 (yǐ) - already & to stop

已Tone 3

yǐ ｜ 3 strokes ｜ radical: 己

一懿

已 · yǐ

already;

to stop;

to cease;

to end;

past;

formerly;

indicates completion of an action.

alreadyto stopto cease

Usage highlights

alreadyto have toto stop at nothingpast eventsto be finishedto be unable to stop

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 未— not yet, have not
  • 始— begin, start
  • 将— will, about to

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I have already eaten (已经吃了).
  • The meeting has ended (会议已结束).
  • He stopped smoking (他已戒烟).
  • This matter is settled (此事已定).

Collocations

  • already(已经)
  • to have to(不得不已)
  • to stop at nothing(不得已)
  • past events(已往)
  • to be finished(已毕)
  • to be unable to stop(不已)

Idioms

  • To have no alternative but to(不得已)
  • To praise endlessly(赞叹不已)
  • To regret endlessly(后悔不已)
  • To be unable to stop(不能自已)
  • What is done cannot be undone(木已成舟)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a coiled snake or fetus, later borrowed for its phonetic value.
  • In classical Chinese, often used to indicate completion of an action, similar to modern 了.
  • Distinguished from 己 (self) and 巳 (snake/hour 9-11) by the top stroke being open.

FAQ