# まだ～ていません: have not yet > Learn how to use まだ～ていません, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning have not yet, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N5 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n5-mada-te-imasen/ **まだ～ていません** means **have not yet**. It is a **JLPT N5** Japanese grammar pattern used to say that an action has not happened up to now. This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, classroom Japanese, and JLPT-style questions. If you want to talk about unfinished actions politely, **まだ～ていません** is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you build natural basic sentences. ## What does まだ～ていません mean? Use **まだ～ていません** when you want to say something is still not completed. Natural translations include: - have not yet - not yet done - still have not The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on the role of the grammar point in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural. ## How to form まだ～ていません
まだ + Verb て-form + いません
Examples of the pattern: - まだ食べていません - まだ見ていません - まだ終わっていません Pay attention to the word form before and after the pattern. Many beginner mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form. ## When is まだ～ていません used? Use **まだ～ていません** in situations like: - answering whether something is done - talking about tasks not completed - saying an experience has not happened yet Tone and register: - polite and neutral; casual form is まだ～ていない - Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions ## まだ～ていません example sentences
まだ昼ご飯を食べていません。
I have not eaten lunch yet.
polite daily
宿題はまだ終わっていません。
My homework is not finished yet.
state polite
その映画はまだ見ていません。
I have not seen that movie yet.
experience polite
先生にはまだ聞いていません。
I have not asked the teacher yet.
polite report
メールはまだ送っていません。
I have not sent the email yet.
polite task
Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: question, contrast, reason, time limit, suggestion, negation, or obligation. ## Nuance of まだ～ていません The key nuance is **an expected action remains incomplete**. This matters because beginner Japanese often uses small words and endings to show meaning that English expresses with word order or helper verbs. For **まだ～ていません**, the sentence can change a lot depending on placement and context. For example: - In conversation, it sounds clear and polite. - Compared with **もう～ました**, it feels unfinished rather than completed. ## まだ～ていません vs もう～ました Both **まだ～ていません** and **もう～ました** can express related ideas, but they are different.
まだ～ていません
uses まだ with the negative ている form
implies the action may happen later
まだ読み終わっていません。
I have not finished reading yet.
vs
もう～ました
uses もう with past tense
says the action is already complete
もう読み終わりました。
I have already finished reading.
If you are unsure which one to use, ask what the sentence is trying to do: ask a question, connect ideas, show a reason, mark time, make an invitation, or express obligation. ## Common mistakes with まだ～ていません
❌ まだ昼ご飯を食べました。
✅ まだ昼ご飯を食べていません。
Using まだ with ました when you mean “not yet” is incorrect.
❌ 宿題はまだ終わります。
✅ 宿題はまだ終わっていません。
Forgetting the negative ending いません changes the meaning entirely.
❌ その映画はまだ見ませんでした。
✅ その映画はまだ見ていません。
Do not confuse ていません with the simple past negative ませんでした.
A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel. ## Is まだ～ていません on the JLPT?
N5

Yes. まだ～ていません is commonly taught as JLPT N5 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.

## Practice questions for まだ～ていません
1 Say you have not eaten yet. production
2 Say you have not sent an email yet. production
3 Say you have not watched a movie yet. production
Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic. ## Learning path for まだ～ていません Use **まだ～ていません** as part of your **JLPT N5** grammar toolkit. A good review order is to start with a short sentence, then compare it with related forms.
1 Write one short sentence with まだ～ていません.
2 Compare it with まだ to see how the word changes without the verb pattern.
3 Contrast it with もう or ている to see how the basic meaning changes.
4 Write one example with a different subject or time word, and one that contrasts with a related pattern.
## Related grammar to review next - [まだ](/blog/n5-mada/) — contrasts with this pattern from the time, sequence, and experience grammar group. - [もう](/blog/n5-mou/) — contrasts with this pattern from the time, sequence, and experience grammar group. - [ている](/blog/n5-te-iru/) — reviews another way to describe identity, existence, adjective quality, or state. - [たことがある](/blog/n5-ta-koto-ga-aru/) — contrasts with this pattern from the time, sequence, and experience grammar group. ## Learn まだ～ていません with Hane If you want to review **まだ～ていません** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N5 grammar lessons](/blog/n5/)