already; anymore; again; other (もう) – Japanese Grammar もう (mou)

Q: What JLPT level is もう?

JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures

Q: How do you use もう in a sentence?

Attach もう to the appropriate verb or noun form. Already; anymore; again; other

Q: Is もう formal or casual Japanese?

もう can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

もう

N5 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

mou

already; anymore; again; other

だろう darou は〜より・・・です wa ~yori... desu があります ga arimasu 方 kata ほうがいい hou ga ii でしょう deshou でも demo よ yo てある te aru たい tai ので node どんな donna から kara なくてはいけない nakute wa ikenai ましょう mashou や ya けれども keredo mo すぎる sugiru の中で[A]が一番 no naka de [A] ga ichiban とき toki だろう darou は〜より・・・です wa ~yori... desu があります ga arimasu 方 kata ほうがいい hou ga ii でしょう deshou でも demo よ yo てある te aru たい tai ので node どんな donna から kara なくてはいけない nakute wa ikenai ましょう mashou や ya けれども keredo mo すぎる sugiru の中で[A]が一番 no naka de [A] ga ichiban とき toki

🃏 Flashcard

もう

mou

Tap to reveal usage

already; anymore; again; other

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N5

Beginner · Basic sentence structures

Reading mou

Post ID 50636

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

already; anymore; again; other

📖 How to use it

Marks a change of state or a point of no return: something has already happened, is no longer ongoing, or will be done again.

Attaches to Used as an adverb before verbs, adjectives, or nouns. It does not attach to a specific verb form; it modifies the whole clause, e.g., もう食べた (mou tabeta), もう行かない (mou ikanai), もういい (mou ii).

もう has two main uses. First, it means 'already' when something has happened or is completed. You use it with past tense verbs or with present state to say 'already' – often implying it happened sooner than expected. Second, it means 'no longer' or 'anymore' when used with a negative verb or a negative state. In this case, it indicates that a previous situation has ended and will not continue. For example, もうお金がない means 'I have no money anymore' – implying you had some before but now it's gone. Third, with future time or a request, it can mean 'again' or 'another', as in もう一度 (mou ichido) 'once more'. You'll hear this word constantly in daily conversation.

もう食べました。

Mou tabemashita.

I already ate.

もうお酒は飲みません。

Mou osake wa nomimasen.

I don't drink alcohol anymore.

もう一度言ってください。

Mou ichido itte kudasai.

Please say it again.

Not まだ (mada) まだ means 'still' or 'not yet'. Use まだ with affirmative to say something is still ongoing (まだ寝ています – I'm still sleeping), or with negative to say 'not yet' (まだ行っていません – I haven't gone yet). もう with negative says it's ended (もう行きません – I won't go anymore), and with past says it's done.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

もう

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat もう three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using もう. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern もう mean? ▼

Already; anymore; again; other

What JLPT level is もう? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use もう in a sentence? ▼

Attach もう (mou) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is もう formal or casual Japanese? ▼

もう is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember もう long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.