Già

Italian word of the day

Già is the Italian translation for “already”, “before” or “by now”. Make sure you don’t forget the accent mark!

Già

Already, before, by now

Examples

Ho già lavato i vetri questo mese.	I have already washed the glasses this month.
Sara ha già visto questo film.	Sara has seen this film before.
Sei già stato in questo ristorante?	Have you been to this restaurant before?
Sono quasi le undici. Mia nonna sarà già andata a dormire.	It is almost eleven o’clock. My grandmother will have gone to sleep by now.
Luca sarà già arrivato a casa.	Luca will have arrived home by now.

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Using già in Italian

We’ve said that già in Italian is an adverb that translates as the English adverb “already” (or “yet” in questions).

Hai già preparato la valigia?

Have you packed your suitcase yet?

When it translates as “already”, the verb is most often conjugated in the passato prossimo tense, which corresponds to the English present perfect tense.

Stefano ha già finito i compiti.

Stefano has already finished his homework.

Like English, the position of the adverb will always be between the helper verb and the past participle of the main verb.

Hai già comprato il latte? – Non ancora.	Have you bought the milk yet? – Not yet.
Sei già stato a Disneyland? – No, non ci sono mai stato.	Have you been to Disneyland before? – No, I’ve never been there.

However, già can also be used as a statement, translating “yeah” or “yeah, I know” in informal settings. It usually has a downward intonation.

Avremmo dovuto dirglielo. – Già.	We should have told him. – Yeah.
Dovresti proprio studiare di più. – Già, ma mi annoio.	You really should study more. – Yeah, but I get bored.

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