synonym Comparative
もはや
VS
夙に
Differences Between "もはや" and "夙に"
Option A
もはや
Meaning
no longer, already (at this point), by now
Reading
もはや (mohaya)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
状況はもはや我々の手に負えない。
The situation is no longer under our control.
Option B
夙に
Meaning
long ago; already; from an early stage; notoriously; well-known
Reading
つとに (tsutoni)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
彼の才能は、その分野では夙に知られている。
His talent has been well-known in that field for a long time.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(no longer, already (at this point), by now)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- もはや: Implies that a previous state has changed, or an action is complete, often with a sense of finality, resignation, or the impossibility of reversing a situation. Can suggest 'it's too late now'.
- 夙に: This is an adverb, often used in more formal or literary contexts. It signifies something has been the case for a considerable amount of time, or is widely recognized. It implies "already" or "from an early stage" regarding knowledge or status. Colloquial use is rare. (文学的・フォーマルな文脈で用いられる副詞。何かが以前からそうであったり、広く知られている状態を表す。口語ではあまり使われない。)
- もはや: Implies that a previous state has changed, or an action is complete, often with a sense of finality, resignation, or the impossibility of reversing a situation. Can suggest 'it's too late now'.
- 夙に: This is an adverb, often used in more formal or literary contexts. It signifies something has been the case for a considerable amount of time, or is widely recognized. It implies "already" or "from an early stage" regarding knowledge or status. Colloquial use is rare. (文学的・フォーマルな文脈で用いられる副詞。何かが以前からそうであったり、広く知られている状態を表す。口語ではあまり使われない。)
Want to boost your Japanese vocabulary?
Project Eagle automatically tracks and targets your weak words using AI. Practice thousands of operational exams completely for free!