已经 (yǐjīng) · already

已经 (yǐjīng) means “already”. It is written with 2 characters: 已 (already) + 经 (the classics). It is an HSK 2 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).

How 已经 is built

The characters

已 yǐ · already

What 已 is made of

已 is not built from smaller parts; it is written with 3 strokes.

经 jīng · the classics

What 经 is made of

纟sī — silk
- 一 — horizontal stroke
工gōng — labor
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 丄shàng — above
  - 丨 — vertical stroke
  - 一 — horizontal stroke

Origin hint: 纟 gives the meaning, 工 gives the sound. (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

Example sentences

我已经吃饭了。Wǒ yǐjīng chīfàn le.I've already eaten.

他已经走了吗？Tā yǐjīng zǒu le ma?Has he already left?

Questions about 已经

What does 已经 mean?

已经 (yǐjīng) means “already”.

How do you pronounce 已经?

已经 is pronounced yǐjīng.

Which HSK level is 已经?

已经 is in HSK 2 (exam 2025) and HSK 2 (2021) and Old HSK 2.

Related words

Learn 已经 with its group

It is part of HSK 2 (2021) · Group 28: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.

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