とっくに
Meanings
- already
- a long time ago
- long ago
- well before now
About this pattern
Explanation
とっくに is a strong adverb meaning that something has already happened or has been the case for a long time, often earlier than expected or than the speaker assumes. It conveys a sense of long elapsed time and can imply that the information should be obvious or not surprising by now. It is used in both past and present contexts to emphasize the lateness of the moment relative to the speaker's expectation.
Learn in context
Example sentences
We're already past the promised time.
He already finished work and went home.
You should already know.
It’s something that has long been decided.
This discussion has long since ended.
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More N2 patterns
to be able to; can; possible to do
View detailsUnable to; Cannot; Cannot possibly
View detailsCan't help doing; Have no choice but to...
View detailsto not ~; un~; archaic negative form of ず used in literary Japanese
View detailsWith the intention of doing; Instead of...; Act as if or pretend; Believing that...; Thinking that...
View detailsanyhow; at any rate; in any case; I have no doubt that; probably
View details