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

他早已知道这件事了。

Tā zǎoyǐ zhīdào zhè jiàn shì le.

He already knew about this long ago.

火车早已开走了。

Huǒchē zǎoyǐ kāizǒu le.

The train left long ago.

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