ещё vs уже
eshchó vs uzhé — still/yet vs already
Register: neutral
What it really means
"Ещё" and "уже" locate an event relative to an expected time. "Ещё" means "still" when a situation continues, or "yet" when something has not happened. "Уже" means "already" — a change or event has happened by the relevant time.
They often form a useful opposite pair: "Он ещё спит" means he is still asleep, while "Он уже проснулся" means he has already woken up. With negation, "ещё не" is the normal way to say "not yet."
Examples in natural speech
Common mistakes
The classic mistake is using "уже не" for "not yet." Say "Я ещё не знаю" (I do not know yet), not "Я уже не знаю," which means "I no longer know." "Ещё" points toward a continuing or expected state; "уже" marks a completed change.
Memory tip
"Ещё" keeps the door open: still/not yet/more. "Уже" says the change has arrived: already.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ещё and уже in Russian?
"Ещё" means still, yet, or more; "уже" means already. "Он ещё работает" = He is still working. "Он уже закончил" = He has already finished.
How do you say not yet in Russian?
Use "ещё не": "Я ещё не знаю" means "I do not know yet." "Уже не знаю" means "I no longer know," so changing the particle changes the meaning completely.
Can ещё mean more in Russian?
Yes. "Ещё чаю?" means "More tea?" and "ещё один" means "one more." Context tells you whether ещё means still, yet, or an additional amount.
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