已
stop, halt, previously, already, long ago
StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes3
Readings
On'yomi
- イ
Kun'yomi
- や.む
- すで.に
- のみ
- はなはだ
Nanori
- み
Meaning
已 centers on a boundary in time or action: something that has already happened, stopped, or ended. The meanings 'previously', 'already', and 'long ago' point to a completed past, while 'stop' and 'halt' mark the point where an action ceases.
Most common words using 已
Study
Etymology
已 is an ancient pictograph whose original meaning is uncertain. It is often associated with the idea of stopping or completion, but the exact historical development is unclear.
Meaning mnemonic
The single curved stroke with a crossbar looks like a barrier or a line drawn to mark a stop. Once you cross that line, the action is already done.
Reading mnemonic
For イ, imagine an eagle (イーグル) that has already stopped flying and perched on a branch: eagle -> イ, and the stop is already complete.