业已
yè yǐalready; as early as; by now
该项目业已进入最后阶段。
The project has already entered its final phase.
调查业已结束，结果将于下周公布。
The investigation has already concluded, and the results will be announced next week.
Used in written Chinese to indicate that an action or state has been completed or existed by a certain time. Often appears in formal documents, reports, or news articles.
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Alternatives
In formal writing, '业已' is preferred for its literary tone. In everyday speech or less formal writing, use '已经' instead. For example, '业已完成' (formal) vs. '已经做完了' (informal).
⚡Gold Rule
Position in Sentence
'业已' typically appears before the verb or adjective it modifies. For example: '业已决定' (has already been decided) rather than '决定业已' (incorrect).
📖Word Origin
The word '业已' is composed of two Chinese characters: '业' (yè), meaning 'already' or 'as early as,' and '已' (yǐ), meaning 'already' or 'to stop.' Historically, both characters carry the sense of completion or past action, and their combination intensifies the meaning of 'already' in formal contexts.
📝Usage Notes
1. '业已' is more formal and literary than '已经' and is typically used in written Chinese, especially in formal documents, reports, or academic writing. 2. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to emphasize that the action or state has been completed by the time of speaking or writing. 3. Avoid using '业已' in casual or spoken Chinese; '已经' is the more common choice in everyday conversation.