早已

zǎoyǐ

adverb HSK 3 #6,819

Meanings

1 long since; long ago already
2 already (emphasizing that it happened a long time ago)

Characters

early; long ago

Examples

HSK 1

火车早已开走了。

Huǒchē zǎoyǐ kāizǒu le.

The train left long ago.

HSK 2

他早已知道这件事了。

Tā zǎoyǐ zhīdào zhè jiàn shì le.

He already knew about this long ago.

HSK 3

这个问题早已解决了。

Zhège wèntí zǎoyǐ jiějué le.

This problem was solved long ago.

Tips

usage

早已 vs 已经: Both mean 'already,' but 早已 emphasizes that it happened much earlier - 'long since.' 已经 is neutral: 他已经走了 (He already left) vs 他早已走了 (He left long ago).

grammar

早已 is placed before the verb: subject + 早已 + verb + 了.

Stroke Order

早 zǎo

已 yǐ