# schon

schon is a German adverb meaning “already”.

## In other languages

- Русский: уже́
- Українська: вже, уже

## Meanings

1. already (happening rather early, continuing rather long)
   - Es ist erst 11 Uhr und schon über 30 Grad im Schatten. — It’s only 11 a.m. and already more than 30 degrees (°C) in the shade.
2. previously, before (at some time in the past; but not: before a certain event)
   - Ich erinnere mich, dass wir solche Fälle schon hatten. — I remember that we had such cases before.
3. expresses that an action has been completed; already (but more frequent); yet (in questions)
   - Wir sind spät dran, aber diesen Stapel haben wir immerhin schon bearbeitet. — We’re running late, but at least we’ve (already) finished this pile.
4. _modal · particle_ expresses a weighing of arguments, contrast between two statements, partial agreement, concession; admittedly; sure(ly); definitely; indeed
   - Man sollte Kinder nicht bestrafen. — Man sollte Kinder schon bestrafen, nur eben sinnvoll. — One shouldn’t punish children. — One should definitely punish children, but wisely.
5. Used to add positive emphasis to a verb (which is frequently omitted), often when something else is negated. Compare si/sí/sì/sim in the Romance languages and wel in Dutch and Afrikaans.
   - Ich rauche nicht, aber du schon. — I don't smoke, but you do.

## Examples

- Warst du schon einmal in Kyōto? — Have you been to Kyoto?
- Jetzt ist es schon fast ein Uhr. — It's now almost one o'clock.
- Tom hat schon viel für uns getan. — Tom has already done a lot for us.
- Wie lange bist du schon in Ōsaka? — How long have you been staying in Osaka?
- Tom war schon weg, als ich ankam. — Tom had already left when I arrived.

## Related words

- Antonym: erst

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Sources: Meanings and forms from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0); example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).
URL: https://wordwide.space/de-en/wort/schon