まだ

まだ means still or not yet. It is a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar pattern used to show that a state continues or has not happened yet.

This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, classroom Japanese, and JLPT-style questions. If you want to talk about continuing situations and unfinished actions, まだ is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you build natural basic sentences.

What does まだ mean?

Use まだ when you want to say something is still true or not completed yet.

Natural translations include:

• still
• not yet
• yet

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

まだ + affirmative sentence / まだ + negative sentence

Examples of the pattern:

• まだあります
• まだ終わっていません
• まだ学生です

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 used?

Use まだ in situations like:

• saying something continues
• saying something is not finished
• answering “already?” questions

Tone and register:

• neutral and common
• Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions

まだ example sentences

• まだ時間があります。 — There is still time.
• 宿題はまだ終わっていません。 — My homework is not finished yet.
• 彼はまだ学生です。 — He is still a student.
• まだ雨が降っています。 — It is still raining.
• まだ朝ご飯を食べていません。 — I have not eaten breakfast yet.

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

The key nuance is continuation up to the present moment.

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, the sentence can change a lot depending on placement and context.

For example:

• In conversation, it sounds time-focused and natural.
• Compared with もう, it feels opposite in time feeling.

まだ vs もう

Both まだ and もう can express related ideas, but they are different.

まだ:

• means still with affirmative sentences
• means not yet with negative sentences

もう:

• means already in affirmative sentences
• means no longer / not anymore in negative contexts

Quick contrast examples:

• まだ食べていません。— I have not eaten yet.
• もう食べました。— I already ate.

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

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating まだ the same way in affirmative and negative sentences
• Confusing まだ with また, which means again
• Using まだ with completed actions when もう is needed

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 on the JLPT?

Yes. まだ is commonly taught as JLPT N5 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, 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

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Say you still have time.
• Say you have not eaten yet.
• Say it is still raining.

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

Use まだ as part of your JLPT N5 time, sequence, and experience grammar toolkit. Put the events on a timeline before translating. Ask what happens first, what continues, what has not happened yet, or what has already happened, then choose the pattern that matches that point in time.

A good review order is: first make one short sentence with まだ, then compare it with いつも, and finally add とき or 前に（まえに） to see how the basic meaning changes.

For practice, keep the sentence short: write one example with まだ, one example with a different subject or time word, and one example that contrasts it with a related pattern below.

Related grammar to review next

• いつも — helps compare time order, sequence, continuing state, and experience.
• とき — helps compare time order, sequence, continuing state, and experience.
• 前に（まえに） — helps compare time order, sequence, continuing state, and experience.
• てから — helps compare time order, sequence, continuing state, and experience.

Learn まだ with Hane

If you want to review まだ together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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• JLPT N5 grammar lessons