German word

schon

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃoːn/

Meaning

  • adverbalready

Example

Bist du schon fertig?

Are you done already?

Illustration for schon (already)

More examples

Ich bin schon fertig.

I'm already done.

Core concept

A finished step lies behind the current moment, and the word can also press a statement forward with the force of even or indeed.

Common phrases

  • schon fertig

    already finished

  • schon jetzt

    already now

  • schon bald

    very soon

Similar words

bereits: Indicates that an event has already occurred and affects the present.
schon mal: Indicates that something has been experienced or happened at least once before.
noch: Indicates that something remains in progress or is not finished yet.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet, dass etwas bereits zu einem früheren Zeitpunkt eingetreten oder erledigt ist.

Word origin

Schon is an inherited Germanic adverb whose forms include Old High German scōn and Middle High German schōn, rather than a modern shortening or compound.

Usage tips

  • Schon often contrasts with noch: schon marks an achieved point, while noch commonly marks something that continues or remains pending.

Other meanings

  • evenadverb
  • indeedadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word