Usage of まだ
まだ is a very common adverb used to express that something is 'still' ongoing or 'not yet' completed. It often appears with negative verbs to indicate that an action has not happened up to the present moment, as in "まだ来ていません" (He hasn't come yet). It can also emphasize continuation, like "まだ時間があります" (There is still time).
Common Collocations
- まだ〜ていません: used with negative verb forms to say "not yet done".
- まだ時間がある: to express "there is still time".
- まだ〜のに: to express a contrast or unexpected situation, e.g., "まだ雨が降っているのに、出かけます。" (Even though it's still raining, I will go out).
Nuances and Tips
まだ is neutral in politeness and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. It is often confused with もう (already), but まだ emphasizes continuation or incompletion, while もう indicates completion or change of state. Remember to pair まだ with negative verbs when expressing "not yet".
Common Mistake
Avoid using まだ with affirmative verbs to mean "already"; that is the role of もう. For example, say まだ来ていません (not yet come) but not まだ来ました (incorrect for "already came").