Meaning and Usage
"とっくに" is an adverb used to express that something happened or was completed a long time ago, often implying that the timing is well before the present moment. It emphasizes that the event is not recent but rather far in the past.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in everyday conversation to stress that something is already done or known, sometimes with a nuance of impatience or surprise if the listener is unaware.
Collocations and Patterns
- とっくに + past tense verb: to indicate an action was completed long ago (e.g., とっくに帰った)
- とっくに + 知っている: to say one already knows something
- とっくに + 終わった: to emphasize something finished a long time ago
Register and Nuance
"とっくに" is casual and common in spoken Japanese. It can convey a slight sense of impatience or criticism if used when someone is late or behind schedule.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "とっくに" with "もう" (already). While both can mean "already," "とっくに" stresses a longer time gap and is stronger in tone. Use "とっくに" when you want to emphasize that something happened well before now.