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A2 adverb #300 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

まだ

mada Top 300

At the A1 level, learners use 'mada' primarily in its simplest form to mean 'not yet.' The most common construction is 'Mada desu,' which is a polite way to say 'not yet' when asked if you have finished a task or decided on something. For example, if a teacher asks if you are done with an exercise, 'Mada desu' is the perfect response. You also learn to use it with basic negative verbs like 'mada kimasen' (hasn't come yet) or 'mada tabemasen' (won't eat yet). The focus is on the immediate present and simple expectations. You might also use it with 'mada mada' as a humble response to a compliment about your basic Japanese skills. At this stage, the nuance is very literal and tied to physical actions or simple states like being a student ('mada gakusei desu').

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'mada' with the present continuous form (~te iru) to express 'still doing something.' This is a significant step because it allows you to describe ongoing states. You learn the difference between 'mada kimasen' (not coming yet) and 'mada kite imasen' (hasn't arrived yet). You also start using 'mada' with adjectives to describe weather or conditions, such as 'mada samui' (it's still cold). You understand that 'mada' is the opposite of 'mou' (already) and can use them together in practice to show transitions. You are also more comfortable using 'mada' in casual settings with friends, often dropping the 'desu' or 'masu' to say things like 'mada miteru' (I'm still watching).

By B1, you use 'mada' to express more abstract concepts and complex temporal relations. You can use it in 'if' or 'when' clauses, such as 'Mada wakai uchi ni...' (While I am still young...). You start to notice 'mada' in compound sentences where it sets the background for another action. You also learn to use 'mada' with potential verbs, like 'mada hanasemasen' (I can't speak [it] yet), indicating a progression of skill. The use of 'mada mada' becomes more nuanced, appearing in contexts like 'mada mada saki no koto' (something far in the future). You also begin to distinguish 'mada' from more formal synonyms like 'nao' or 'ima da ni' in reading materials.

At the B2 level, 'mada' is used to convey subtle nuances of expectation and persistence in professional and academic contexts. You might use it to describe a situation that is 'still' unresolved despite efforts, often pairing it with conjunctions like 'noni' (even though). For example, 'Takusan benkyou shita noni, mada wakaranai' (Even though I studied a lot, I still don't understand). You also encounter 'mada' in more complex grammatical structures like 'mada ~te inai uchi ni' (before [something] has happened yet). Your understanding of 'mada mada' expands to include its use as an intensifier for adjectives, like 'mada mada takai' (it's still much too expensive).

At the C1 level, you use 'mada' with a high degree of precision, often in literary or highly formal contexts. You understand its role in creating rhetorical effects, such as emphasizing the longevity of a tradition or the persistence of a social issue. You can use 'mada' in sophisticated structures like 'mada shimatte wa inai' (it has not yet closed, with emphasis on the state). You also recognize the difference between 'mada' and 'ima da ni' in terms of the speaker's critical stance. You are comfortable using 'mada' in nuanced arguments to describe states that are 'yet to be realized' in a philosophical or theoretical sense. Your use of 'mada' is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, including its placement for specific emphasis within a sentence.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'mada' and its various classical or dialectal variants if necessary. You can use 'mada' to express the finest shades of meaning, such as the 'stillness' of a moment or the 'not-yet-ness' of a complex historical process. You understand how 'mada' interacts with the most advanced Japanese grammar and can use it in creative writing to evoke specific moods. You can analyze the use of 'mada' in classical literature or poetry, where it might have slightly different phonetic or grammatical properties. Your understanding includes the historical etymology of the word and how its usage has evolved over centuries. You can effortlessly switch between 'mada,' 'nao,' 'izen to shite,' and 'ima da ni' to suit any register or rhetorical purpose.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

まだ en 30 secondes

Mada translates to 'still' in positive sentences and 'not yet' in negative ones, marking temporal continuity.
In negative contexts, it almost always pairs with the ~te imasen form to show an action hasn't happened yet.
The phrase 'mada mada' is a common humble response to praise, meaning 'I still have a lot to learn.'
It is the direct opposite of 'mou' (already/anymore) and is essential for status updates in daily life.

The Japanese adverb まだ (mada) is a fundamental building block of the language, primarily used to express that a state continues or that an expected action has not yet occurred. For English speakers, it is most commonly translated as 'still' or 'not yet' depending on the grammatical structure of the sentence. Understanding まだ requires looking beyond simple translation and grasping the 'temporal continuity' it implies. It suggests a bridge between the past and the present, often with an underlying expectation that things will change in the future.

The 'Still' Usage: When paired with an affirmative verb, particularly in the continuous form (~ている), まだ indicates that an action or state is ongoing. For example, 'mada futte iru' means 'it is still raining.' This usage emphasizes that the situation started in the past and has not stopped.

彼はまだ寝ています (Kare wa mada nete imasu). He is still sleeping.

The 'Not Yet' Usage: When paired with a negative verb, まだ translates to 'not yet.' This is perhaps the most frequent use for beginners. It implies that while something hasn't happened, the speaker expects it to happen eventually. 'Mada tabete imasen' means 'I haven't eaten yet.'

The word is versatile across all levels of formality. In a business setting, you might use it to report that a project is not yet finished, while in a casual setting, you might use it to tell a friend you are still at home. The psychological nuance of まだ is the 'persistence of a state.' Whether that state is 'being a student' or 'not having finished homework,' まだ anchors that state in the current moment while looking toward a point of conclusion. It is the opposite of もう (mou), which means 'already' or 'anymore.' While もう marks a transition that has already occurred, まだ marks a transition that is either ongoing or pending.

宿題はまだ終わっていません (Shukudai wa mada owatte imasen). The homework is not finished yet.

Cultural Nuance: In Japanese culture, the phrase 'Mada mada desu' is a standard polite rejection of praise. If someone says your Japanese is great, replying with 'Mada mada desu' shows humility, suggesting you still have much to learn.

外はまだ暗いです (Soto wa mada kurai desu). It is still dark outside.

バスはまだ来ません (Basu wa mada kimasen). The bus isn't coming yet.

まだ子供だから、お酒は飲めません (Mada kodomo dakara, osake wa nomemasen). Because I am still a child, I cannot drink alcohol.

Grammatically, まだ (mada) is an adverb, which means its placement is relatively flexible, but it usually appears before the verb or the adjective it modifies. The most critical aspect of using まだ correctly is understanding its interaction with verb tenses and negative forms. It creates specific meanings that are essential for daily communication.

Pattern 1: まだ + Negative Verb (~ていません): This is the standard way to say 'have not yet done something.' Note that Japanese uses the present continuous negative (~te imasen) rather than the simple negative (~masen) for actions that are expected to happen. 'Mada kimasen' means 'He isn't coming yet,' while 'Mada kite imasen' means 'He hasn't arrived yet.'

私はまだその映画を見ていません (Watashi wa mada sono eiga o mite imasen). I haven't seen that movie yet.

Pattern 2: まだ + Continuous Verb (~ている): This expresses 'still doing.' It describes an action that began in the past and is currently in progress. It is used for habits, ongoing actions, or states.

父はまだ働いています (Chichi wa mada hataraite imasu). My father is still working.

Pattern 3: まだ + Noun/Adjective + です: When used with nouns or adjectives, it simply means 'still [state].' This is common for describing age, weather, or conditions.

One interesting feature of まだ is its use in the phrase 'mada mada.' While 'mada' alone is an adverb, 'mada mada' acts almost like an interjection or an adjective phrase meaning 'much more' or 'not there yet.' If you are climbing a mountain and someone asks if you are near the top, 'Mada mada desu' implies there is a significant distance left. It doubles the emphasis of the 'not yet' or 'still' aspect.

お昼ご飯にはまだ早いです (Ohiru gohan ni wa mada hayai desu). It is still early for lunch.

仕事がまだたくさんあります (Shigoto ga mada takusan arimasu). There is still a lot of work.

彼はまだ独身です (Kare wa mada dokushin desu). He is still single.

You will hear まだ (mada) everywhere in Japan, from the most formal business meetings to the most casual street conversations. It is a word that defines expectations and current status. In a culture that values punctuality and process, まだ is frequently used to provide status updates on tasks, arrivals, and personal growth.

In Restaurants and Shops: If a waiter comes to take your order but you haven't decided, you can say 'Mada desu' (Not yet). If you are waiting for your food and it hasn't arrived, you might ask a staff member, 'Ryouri wa mada desu ka?' (Is the food not ready yet?).

「ご注文はお決まりですか？」「いいえ、まだです。」("Have you decided on your order?" "No, not yet.")

At the Office: In professional settings, まだ is used to indicate that a report is still being written or a client hasn't responded. It is often paired with 'moushiwake gozaimasen' (I'm sorry) when a deadline is approaching but the work is 'mada' (not yet done).

In anime and manga, まだ is often used dramatically. A character might say 'Mada owattenai!' (It's not over yet!) during a fight or a competition. This highlights the word's ability to convey persistence and hope. It also appears in song lyrics frequently, often referring to a love that 'still' remains or a dream that hasn't 'yet' come true. The word carries a sense of 'potential'—the state of 'mada' is temporary, and the speaker is looking toward the future state.

「もう帰りますか？」「いいえ、まだここにいます。」("Are you going home already?" "No, I'm still staying here.")

会議はまだ続いています (Kaigi wa mada tsuzuite imasu). The meeting is still continuing.

彼はまだ若いです (Kare wa mada wakai desu). He is still young.

While まだ (mada) seems straightforward, English speakers often trip up because of the differences in how 'still' and 'not yet' function in English versus Japanese. The most common errors involve tense choice and confusion with the word もう (mou).

Mistake 1: Using Past Tense with 'Not Yet': In English, we say 'I haven't done it yet.' Learners often try to translate this using the past negative in Japanese: 'Mada shimasen deshita.' This is incorrect. In Japanese, 'not yet' requires the present continuous negative (~te imasen) because the state of 'not having done it' is currently ongoing.

❌ まだ食べませんでした (Incorrect)
✅ まだ食べていません (Correct)

Mistake 2: Confusing まだ (Mada) and もう (Mou): These are opposites. まだ is 'still/not yet,' while もう is 'already/anymore.' A common mistake is using まだ in a negative sentence to mean 'not anymore.' For 'I don't eat meat anymore,' you must use 'Mou niku o tabemasen,' not 'Mada.'

Another subtle mistake is using まだ to mean 'nevertheless' or 'even so.' While 'still' can mean this in English ('It was raining, but I still went out'), まだ cannot be used this way in Japanese. You would use 'soredemo' or 'noni' for that purpose. Additionally, learners sometimes forget that まだ can be used with adjectives. Saying 'Mada samui' (It's still cold) is perfectly natural, but some learners mistakenly think it only works with verbs.

❌ 彼はまだ来ました (Incorrect - He still came?)
✅ 彼はまだ来ています (Correct - He is still here / He is still coming)

❌ まだ分かりました (Incorrect)
✅ まだ分かりません (Correct - I don't understand yet)

While まだ (mada) is the most common way to express 'still' or 'not yet,' Japanese has several other words that carry similar meanings but differ in formality, nuance, or grammatical usage. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more natural and precise.

今だに (Ima da ni): This is a more formal and often more emphatic version of まだ. It translates to 'even now' or 'still to this day.' It often carries a nuance of surprise or criticism—that something should have changed by now but hasn't. For example, 'He still hasn't apologized even now.'

尚 (Nao): Used in formal writing or news broadcasts, 'nao' means 'still' or 'furthermore.' It is much more literary than まだ. You might see it in a weather report: 'The storm is still (nao) moving north.'

依然として (Izen to shite): This is a very formal, written expression meaning 'as before' or 'still.' It is used to describe situations that remain unchanged over a long period, often in political or economic contexts.

When comparing まだ to its alternatives, consider the 'emotional weight.' まだ is neutral. 今だに often feels heavy or frustrated. 尚 feels clinical and objective. For a learner at the A2 level, まだ will cover 95% of your needs, but recognizing these others in reading will improve your comprehension of formal texts.

彼は今だにそのことを気にしている (Kare wa ima da ni sono koto o ki ni shite iru). He is still (even now) worrying about that.

景気は依然として厳しい (Keiki wa izen to shite kibishii). The economy remains (still) harsh.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"資料はまだ完成しておりません。"

Neutre

"まだ雨が降っています。"

Informel

"まだ寝てるの？"

Child friendly

"まだお菓子あるよ！"

Argot

"まだまだいけるっしょ！"

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient texts, it was sometimes written with kanji that implied 'unfinished' or 'not yet arrived.'

Guide de prononciation

UK ma.da

US mɑ.dɑ

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. 'Mada' typically has a low-high (L-H) pitch pattern, though it can vary by dialect.

Rime avec

Hada (skin) Sada (name) Tada (free/only) Kada (over-) Wada (name) Nada (ocean) Gada (moth) Yada (dislike)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it like 'made' (English word for 'built').
Stressing the first syllable too heavily like 'MA-da'.
Elongating the 'a' sounds like 'maadaa'.
Confusing the 'd' sound with a soft 't'.
Mixing it up with 'mata' (again).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is usually written in hiragana, making it very easy to read. Kanji '未' is rare for the adverb.

Écriture 2/5

Hiragana 'まだ' is simple to write. The concept is easy to grasp.

Expression orale 3/5

Using the correct verb tense (continuous negative) can be tricky for beginners.

Écoute 2/5

It is a short, distinct word that is easy to hear in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

です (desu) ます (masu) ない (nai) ている (te iru)

Apprends ensuite

もう (mou) ずっと (zutto) やっと (yatto) ついに (tsuini)

Avancé

いまだに (imadani) 依然として (izen to shite) 尚 (nao)

Grammaire à connaître

~ている (Continuous Aspect)

まだ走っています。

~ていない (Negative Continuous)

まだ食べていません。

~うちに (While/Before)

まだ明るいうちに帰りましょう。

~ばかり (Just finished)

まだ始まったばかりです。

Noun + だから (Because it is...)

まだ子供だから。

Exemples par niveau

まだですか？

Not yet?

Simple question using 'mada' and 'desu'.

いいえ、まだです。

No, not yet.

Standard polite negative response.

まだ食べません。

I won't eat yet.

'Mada' with a simple negative verb.

バスはまだ来ません。

The bus isn't coming yet.

Describing an expected arrival.

まだ学生です。

I am still a student.

'Mada' with a noun + 'desu'.

まだ１０時です。

It is still 10 o'clock.

Using 'mada' to indicate it's earlier than expected.

まだ暑いです。

It is still hot.

'Mada' with an i-adjective.

「上手ですね。」「まだ、まだです。」

"You're good at this." "No, I still have a long way to go."

Humble repetition of 'mada'.

まだ雨が降っています。

It is still raining.

'Mada' with the present continuous (~te iru).

まだ宿題をしていません。

I haven't done my homework yet.

'Mada' with the negative continuous (~te imasen).

彼はまだ寝ています。

He is still sleeping.

Ongoing state in the morning.

まだその本を読んでいません。

I haven't read that book yet.

Action not yet completed.

まだ仕事が終わっていません。

The work isn't finished yet.

State of work not being done.

外はまだ暗いです。

It is still dark outside.

'Mada' with an adjective.

まだお腹が空いています。

I am still hungry.

Ongoing physical state.

まだ子供だから、分かりません。

Because I'm still a child, I don't understand.

Using 'mada' to give a reason.

まだ若いから、大丈夫ですよ。

Since you're still young, you'll be fine.

Giving encouragement based on age.

まだ決まっていないことがたくさんあります。

There are still many things that haven't been decided.

Relative clause with 'mada'.

まだ日本語が上手に話せません。

I can't speak Japanese well yet.

'Mada' with a potential negative verb.

まだ使っているから、片付けないでください。

I'm still using it, so please don't tidy it up.

Request based on an ongoing action.

まだ時間があるから、ゆっくりしましょう。

Since we still have time, let's take it easy.

Using 'mada' to indicate surplus time.

そのニュースはまだ聞いていません。

I haven't heard that news yet.

Information not yet received.

まだ独身だなんて、信じられません。

I can't believe he's still single.

Expressing surprise at a continuing state.

まだ終わっていないうちに、次の仕事が来ました。

Before I had even finished, the next job arrived.

'Mada' with '~te inai uchi ni'.

まだ解決していない問題が山積みだ。

There is a mountain of problems that are still unresolved.

Formal relative clause.

まだ見ぬ世界へ旅立ちたい。

I want to set out for a world I have yet to see.

Literary use of 'mada' with classical negative 'nu'.

努力したものの、結果はまだ出ていない。

Although I made an effort, the results haven't come out yet.

Contrastive sentence with 'mada'.

まだ記憶に新しい事件だ。

It is an incident that is still fresh in my memory.

Idiomatic expression for recent events.

まだ準備が整っていないので、少々お待ちください。

The preparations are not yet complete, so please wait a moment.

Formal business apology.

まだ始まったばかりなのに、もう疲れた。

It's only just started, and I'm already tired.

Combining 'mada' with 'bakari' (just).

まだ食べられるのに、捨てるのはもったいない。

It's a waste to throw it away when it's still edible.

Expressing regret about a continuing state.

まだ間に合うかもしれないから、急ごう。

We might still make it in time, so let's hurry.

Expressing possibility with 'mada'.

その理論は、まだ仮説の域を出ていない。

That theory has not yet moved beyond the realm of hypothesis.

Formal academic expression.

まだ幼さが残る彼の表情に、決意が見えた。

In his expression, which still retained a hint of youth, determination was visible.

Literary description.

伝統がまだ息づいている古い町並み。

Old streets where tradition is still very much alive.

Metaphorical use of 'mada'.

まだ解明されていない謎が、宇宙には無数にある。

There are countless mysteries in the universe that have yet to be elucidated.

Passive voice with 'mada' in a formal context.

まだ見ぬ君に、この手紙を捧ぐ。

I dedicate this letter to you, whom I have yet to meet.

Poetic and archaic negative form.

まだ心の整理がつかない状態で、返事はできない。

I cannot reply while my feelings are still not sorted out.

Abstract state of mind.

まだ余震が続く中、復旧作業が始まった。

While aftershocks were still continuing, recovery work began.

Describing a dangerous ongoing situation.

まだ夜が明けきらぬうちに、彼は旅立った。

He set off before the night had fully dawned.

Literary temporal expression.

真理の探究は、まだ端緒についたばかりである。

The search for truth has only just begun (is still at its inception).

Highly formal/philosophical expression.

まだ混沌とした状況に、一筋の光が差し込んだ。

Into the still chaotic situation, a single ray of light shone.

Sophisticated metaphorical use.

まだ熟成の途上にあるこのワインは、将来が楽しみだ。

This wine, which is still in the process of aging, has a promising future.

Technical/connoisseur register.

まだ見ぬ強豪との対戦を、彼は心待ちにしている。

He is eagerly looking forward to a match with a powerful opponent he has yet to face.

Nuanced expectation.

その計画はまだ青写真の段階であり、詳細は未定だ。

The plan is still at the blueprint stage, and details are undecided.

Metaphorical business jargon.

まだ癒えぬ傷を抱えながら、彼女は前を向いた。

While carrying wounds that had yet to heal, she looked forward.

Deeply emotional literary use.

まだ解き明かされぬ歴史の真実を求めて、彼は旅を続ける。

Seeking historical truths that have yet to be unraveled, he continues his journey.

High-level academic narrative.

まだ名もなき草花が、野原一面に咲き誇っている。

Wildflowers that are as yet nameless are blooming all over the field.

Poetic description of nature.

Collocations courantes

まだ早い

まだ若い

まだ大丈夫

まだ使える

まだ終わらない

まだ決まっていない

まだ寝ている

まだ食べている

まだ見ぬ

まだマシ

Phrases Courantes

まだですか？

まだまだです。

まだいいです。

まだ間に合う。

まだ先の話。

まだマシだ。

まだ分からない。

まだ寝てるの？

まだある？

まだかな。

Souvent confondu avec

まだ vs また (Mata)

Means 'again.' People often confuse the 'd' and 't' sounds.

まだ vs もう (Mou)

Means 'already.' It is the opposite of mada.

まだ vs まで (Made)

Means 'until.' It marks an end point, while mada marks continuity.

Expressions idiomatiques

"まだまだ青い"

To be green/immature (like fruit that isn't ripe).

彼は技術的にはまだまだ青い。

Informal

"まだお迎えが来ない"

To not be ready to die yet (humorous/old people).

私はまだお迎えが来ないよ。

Informal

"まだ見ぬ強豪"

A powerful rival one has yet to encounter.

まだ見ぬ強豪にワクワクする。

Neutral

"まだしも"

Would be better / would be acceptable (compared to something worse).

冗談ならまだしも、本気で言ったの？

Neutral

"まだるっこい"

Slow and irritating / roundabout.

彼の説明はまだるっこい。

Informal

"まだ事足りる"

To still be sufficient.

このパソコンでまだ事足りる。

Neutral

"まだ捨てたもんじゃない"

Not all bad / still has some value.

世の中もまだ捨てたもんじゃない。

Informal

"まだ目鼻がつかない"

To not have taken shape yet (a project/plan).

新事業はまだ目鼻がつかない。

Neutral

"まだ宵の口"

The night is still young.

帰るには早い、まだ宵の口だ。

Neutral

"まだ早いと笑う"

To dismiss something as being too early (literary).

彼はまだ早いと笑った。

Literary

Facile à confondre

まだ vs ずっと

Both can mean 'still' or 'continuously.'

Mada implies a state that hasn't changed yet but might. Zutto implies a long, uninterrupted duration.

まだ待っています (I'm still waiting - it's taking a while). ずっと待っています (I've been waiting all along).

まだ vs そのまま

Both describe a continuing state.

Mada is an adverb of time. Sonomama is an adverb of manner/state meaning 'as it is.'

まだ置いてあります (It's still placed there). そのまま置いてあります (It's placed there just as it was).

まだ vs 相変わらず

Both mean 'still the same.'

Aikawarazu is used for personal traits or habits that haven't changed over a long time.

彼は相変わらず元気だ (He is healthy as always).

まだ vs 今だに

Both mean 'even now.'

Imadani is more formal and usually carries a negative or surprised nuance.

今だに信じられない (I still can't believe it even now).

まだ vs 依然として

Both mean 'still.'

Izen to shite is strictly formal and used for objective situations.

状況は依然として厳しい (The situation remains harsh).

Structures de phrases

まだ + Noun + です

まだ学生です。

まだ + Adjective + です

まだ寒いです。

まだ + Verb-te imasen

まだ読んでいません。

まだ + Verb-te imasu

まだ使っています。

まだ + Potential-nai

まだ泳げません。

まだ + Verb-te inai uchi ni

まだ寝ていないうちに。

まだ + Verb-te iru noni

まだ生きているのに。

まだ + Verb-nu (Classical Negative)

まだ見ぬ人。

Famille de mots

Noms

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely High. It is in the top 500 most used words in Japanese.

Erreurs courantes

Mada tabemasen deshita. → Mada tabete imasen.
You cannot use the past negative for 'not yet.' You must use the present continuous negative.
Mada ikimashita. → Soredemo ikimashita.
Mada cannot mean 'nevertheless' or 'still' in the sense of 'despite that.'
Mada niku o tabemasen. → Mou niku o tabemasen.
If you want to say 'I don't eat meat anymore,' you must use 'mou,' not 'mada.'
Mada mada jozu desu. → Mada mada desu.
When responding to a compliment, you don't usually include the adjective. Just 'Mada mada desu' is the set phrase.
Mada 10-ji ni narimashita. → Mada 10-ji desu.
Using 'narimashita' (became) contradicts 'mada' (still). Just use 'desu'.

Astuces

Pair with ~te iru

Always remember that 'still doing' is 'mada ~te iru' and 'not yet done' is 'mada ~te inai'. This is the most common usage.

The Humility Rule

If someone praises your Japanese, don't say 'Arigatou' immediately. Say 'Mada mada desu' first to show you are a humble learner.

Mada vs. Mou

Think of 'mada' as a line that hasn't been crossed, and 'mou' as a line that has been crossed. This helps distinguish 'still' from 'already'.

Keep it Short

Don't drag out the 'a' sounds. It's a quick 'ma-da'. If you drag it, it might sound like a different word or just unnatural.

Hiragana is Best

Even though kanji exists, stick to hiragana. Using kanji for 'mada' in a casual text can look overly stiff or archaic.

Declining Offers

Use 'Mada arimasu' (I still have some) to politely decline a refill of tea or food. It's softer than saying 'No thank you'.

Time Check

Use 'mada' with time to express that it's earlier than expected. 'Mada 6-ji da' (It's only 6 o'clock).

No Past Tense

Never use 'mada' with a past tense verb like 'mada shimashita'. It simply doesn't work in Japanese grammar.

Mada-shimo

Learn 'mada-shimo' for comparisons. 'A mada-shimo B' means 'A would be okay, but B is unacceptable'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Mada' as 'MA-DA' (Mother-Dad). They are 'still' waiting for you to come home, but you are 'not yet' there.

Association visuelle

Imagine a child standing in front of a half-eaten bowl of rice. They are 'still' eating, but 'not yet' finished.

Word Web

Still Not yet Ongoing Mada mada Humility Expectation Mou (Opposite) Continuity

Défi

Try to use 'mada' three times today: once for a task you haven't finished, once for a state that is continuing, and once as a humble response.

Origine du mot

The word 'mada' has been part of the Japanese language since the Old Japanese period (8th century). It is found in the Man'yoshu, the oldest collection of Japanese poetry.

Sens originel : It originally meant 'not yet reached' or 'incomplete.'

Japonic

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'mada' to describe someone's age or status (like 'mada dokushin' - still single), as it can sometimes imply a judgment that they should have changed by now.

English speakers often use 'still' and 'yet' interchangeably in some contexts, but Japanese is very strict about using 'mada' for both, provided the grammar matches.

The phrase 'Mada mada dane' (You still have a long way to go) is the famous catchphrase of Ryoma Echizen from the anime 'The Prince of Tennis.' The movie 'Madadayo' (Not Yet) by Akira Kurosawa is about a professor who celebrates his birthday and tells his students he is 'not yet' ready to die. Many J-Pop songs use 'mada' to describe a love that 'still' hasn't faded.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Restaurant

まだ食べています (Still eating)
まだですか？ (Not yet?)
まだ決まっていません (Haven't decided yet)
まだお代わりありますか？ (Is there still more?)

Office

まだ終わっていません (Not finished yet)
まだ検討中です (Still considering)
まだ連絡がありません (No contact yet)
まだ会社にいます (Still at the office)

Home

まだ寝てるの？ (Still sleeping?)
まだ宿題やってない (Haven't done homework yet)
まだお風呂に入っています (Still in the bath)
まだご飯じゃないよ (It's not mealtime yet)

Travel

まだ着きませんか？ (Are we not there yet?)
まだ時間があります (We still have time)
まだ切符を買っていません (Haven't bought a ticket yet)
まだバスが来ない (The bus isn't coming yet)

Social

まだまだです (I still have a long way to go)
まだ帰らないで (Don't go home yet)
まだ元気だね (You're still energetic)
まだ独身だよ (I'm still single)

Amorces de conversation

"まだ日本に来たばかりですか？ (Have you only just arrived in Japan?)"

"まだ仕事は忙しいですか？ (Is work still busy?)"

"まだあの映画を見ていないんですか？ (You haven't seen that movie yet?)"

"まだお腹が空いていますか？ (Are you still hungry?)"

"まだそこに住んでいるんですか？ (Are you still living there?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、まだやっていないことは何ですか？ (What is something you haven't done yet today?)

子供の頃からまだ続けている習慣はありますか？ (Is there a habit you've continued since childhood?)

まだ行ったことがない場所で、行きたいところはどこですか？ (Where is a place you haven't been yet but want to go?)

日本語の勉強で、まだ難しいと感じることは何ですか？ (What do you still find difficult about studying Japanese?)

まだ解決していない悩みはありますか？ (Do you have any worries that are still unresolved?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. In English, we say 'I still went,' but in Japanese, you would use 'soredemo' (even so). 'Mada' is for states that are ongoing or haven't happened yet. If you say 'Mada shimashita,' it sounds like 'I did it yet,' which is incorrect.

'Mada' is the standard adverb. 'Mada mada' is an intensified version used for emphasis ('much more') or as a humble response to praise. It implies a greater degree of 'not yet-ness.'

In Japanese, the state of not having done something is viewed as a continuous state. Therefore, the continuous negative form is required. 'Mada kimasen' means 'He won't come yet,' while 'Mada kite imasen' means 'He hasn't arrived yet.'

Yes, in some contexts like 'Mada arimasu ka?' (Is there still more? / Do you still have some?). It refers to the remaining quantity that is 'still' there.

'Mada' itself is neutral. To make it polite, you add 'desu' or use it with a 'masu' verb. 'Mada desu' is a perfectly polite way to say 'not yet' to a superior.

You must use 'mou' for this: 'Mou soko ni sunde imasen.' Using 'mada' would mean 'I'm still not living there,' which is a different meaning.

Yes. For example, 'Mada kowakunai' (It's not scary yet). It indicates the state of 'not being scary' is currently continuing.

It literally means 'You still have a long way to go, don't you?' It's a slightly cocky or encouraging way to tell someone they aren't good enough yet.

Yes, the kanji is '未', but it is almost always written in hiragana as 'まだ' when used as an adverb. The kanji is used in compound words like '未定' (mitei).

Yes, as in 'Kore no hou ga mada ii' (This one is still better / This one is the lesser of two evils).