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Japanese Grammar Point: まだ〜 (mada〜)

Japanese Grammar Lesson: まだ〜 (mada〜)

1. Introduction

まだ (mada) is a commonly used Japanese adverb that plays a crucial role in expressing temporal concepts such as "still," "not yet," and "yet." Mastering the use of まだ will enhance your ability to communicate ongoing actions, pending events, and expectations in Japanese.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

まだ is used to indicate:

• Continuation: An action or state is ongoing.
  • "still"
• Incomplete Actions: An expected action has not occurred.
  • "not yet" Understanding the context and the verb form it accompanies is key to using まだ correctly.

Meaning, Structure, Formation Diagram

1. Indicating "Still" (An ongoing action)

Structure:

まだ + Verb (Affirmative Form)

Example:

• まだ食べます。
  • I still eat / I will still eat.

2. Indicating "Not Yet" (An incomplete action)

Structure:

まだ + Verb (Negative Form)

Example:

• まだ食べていません。
  • I have not eaten yet.

Visual Aid: Usage Table

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing まだ with もう (mō)

Both まだ and もう relate to the timing of actions but convey opposite meanings.

まだ:

• Affirmative Verb: Still
  • まだあります。
    • There is still (some left).
• Negative Verb: Not yet
  • まだありません。
    • There isn't any yet.

もう:

• Affirmative Verb: Already
  • もうあります。
    • There is already (some).
• Negative Verb: No longer / Not anymore
  • もうありません。
    • There isn't any anymore.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

1. まだレポートを提出していません。
   • I have not submitted the report yet.
2. その問題はまだ解決されていません。
   • That issue has not been resolved yet.

Informal Conversation

1. まだ起きてるの？
   • You're still awake?
2. 映画はまだ始まってないよ。
   • The movie hasn't started yet.

Written Context

1. 彼女はまだ来ていない。
   • She hasn't come yet.
2. プロジェクトはまだ進行中です。
   • The project is still underway.

Spoken Context

1. まだ時間ある？
   • Do you still have time?
2. それ、まだ使ってる？
   • Are you still using that?

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Politeness and Consideration: In Japanese culture, acknowledging the timing of actions with まだ can show consideration for others' schedules and expectations.
• Humility: Using phrases like まだまだです reflects humility, a valued trait in Japan.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• Formal:
  • まだ帰宅しておりません。
    • I have not returned home yet.
• Casual:
  • まだ帰ってないよ。
    • I haven't gone home yet.

Idiomatic Expressions

1. まだまだですね。
   • I still have much to learn.
   • Often used humbly in response to praise.
2. 人生はまだこれからだ。
   • Life is still ahead of you.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

• Mistake 1: Using まだ with the wrong verb tense.

  • Incorrect: まだ行きました。 (I still went.)
  • Correct: まだ行っていません。 (I haven't gone yet.)

• Mistake 2: Confusing まだ with もう.

  • Incorrect: もう来ていません。 intending to say "hasn't come yet."
  • Correct: まだ来ていません。

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of "ma-da" as "Maybe Dalayed" to remember it indicates an action not yet completed.
• Practice Pairing: Associate まだ with actions you're waiting to do, and もう with actions you've finished.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• まだ expresses "still" with affirmative verbs and "not yet" with negative verbs.
• Context and verb form are crucial for its correct usage.
• まだ is integral for discussing ongoing and incomplete actions in Japanese.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you say "I still like Japanese food" in Japanese?
   • Answer: まだ日本料理が好きです。
2. Translate to English: まだ宿題をしていません。
   • Answer: I haven't done my homework yet.
3. Choose the correct word: To say "I already finished," would you use まだ or もう?
   • Answer: もう
     • もう終わりました。

Congratulations on mastering the usage of まだ (mada)! Keep practicing by incorporating it into your daily conversations to become more fluent and expressive in Japanese.