Meaning
早已 emphasizes that something happened or became true much earlier than expected or a long time before the reference point. It combines 早 (early) and 已 (already) to stress the elapsed time. It's stronger than just 已经 (already) because it highlights that considerable time has passed.
Usage
早已 is typically used in written or formal contexts, though it appears in speech when emphasizing timing. It often appears with completed actions or states that began far in the past. Common in narrative writing, news reports, and formal discussions to stress how long something has been true.
Examples
- 01这个消息我早已听说了。.I heard this news a long time ago.
- 02那座老房子早已被拆除了。.That old house was demolished long ago.
Characters
Common collocations
- 早已知道have long known
- 早已习惯have long been accustomed to
- 早已过去have long passed
- 早已不在have long been absent/gone
Antonyms
Origin
Compound of 早 (early/long ago) and 已 (already), both classical Chinese terms. The combination intensifies the sense of pastness, literally meaning 'early already' to convey 'long since.'