とっくに

とっくに means long ago; already. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to emphasize that something happened much earlier than expected.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, とっくに is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker’s logic, stance, or emphasis.

What does とっくに mean?

Use とっくに when you want to emphasize that something happened much earlier than expected.

Natural translations include:

• long ago; already
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus first on what relationship the pattern creates between the ideas.

How to form とっくに

とっくに + Verb past / negative

Examples of the pattern:

• 宿題はとっくに終わった。
• 彼はとっくに帰りましたよ。
• その映画はとっくに見た。

In JLPT questions, pay close attention to the word immediately before the grammar point. Many wrong answers use a similar meaning but attach to the wrong form.

When is とっくに used?

Use とっくに in situations like:

• reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
• making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
• connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:

• usually neutral to formal, depending on the expression
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

とっくに example sentences

• 宿題はとっくに終わった。 — I finished my homework long ago.
• 彼はとっくに帰りましたよ。 — He went home ages ago.
• その映画はとっくに見た。 — I already saw that movie a long time ago.
• 締め切りはとっくに過ぎている。 — The deadline passed long ago.
• そんなことはとっくに知っている。 — I’ve known that for ages.

After reading each sentence, ask what job とっくに is doing. Is it adding, excluding, warning, emphasizing, or showing a condition? That habit makes the nuance easier to remember than a single English translation.

Nuance of とっくに

The key nuance is emphasize that something happened much earlier than expected.

This matters because N2 grammar often overlaps with easier expressions. The advanced pattern usually adds formality, emphasis, restriction, or a stronger logical relationship.

For example:

• In formal writing, とっくに often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with もう, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

とっくに vs もう

Both とっくに and もう can express related ideas, but they are different.

とっくに:

• fits the N2 nuance explained above
• often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

もう:

• is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
• may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:

• 宿題はとっくに終わった。
• Try rewriting the sentence with もう and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with とっくに

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with もう just because the English translation overlaps
• Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with とっくに, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is とっくに on the JLPT?

Yes. とっくに is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions usually test context, not dictionary translation alone.

Practice questions for とっくに

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence that clearly needs とっくに.
• Write a second sentence with もう and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for とっくに

To learn とっくに efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern’s real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare とっくに with もう and the related lessons below. These recommendations are chosen from similar semantic or structural families.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes とっくに necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• n5 mou — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n3 sude ni — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n2 madashimo — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register

Learn とっくに with Hane

If you want to review とっくに together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons