Introduction: The Versatility of “Mada” in Japanese
The Japanese word “まだ” (mada) is a high-frequency adverb that appears constantly in everyday conversation. This versatile word carries multiple meanings depending on context, primarily translating as “not yet,” “still,” or “more.” Understanding the nuances of “mada” is essential for natural Japanese communication, as it reflects important aspects of Japanese thinking about time and expectations.
The Core Meanings of “Mada” in Japanese
“Not Yet” in Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, “mada” indicates an expected action hasn’t occurred but is anticipated in the future:
「まだ終わっていません」(Mada owatte imasen) – “I haven’t finished yet.” 「まだ食べていません」(Mada tabete imasen) – “I haven’t eaten yet.”
This usage implies the action is expected to happen eventually.
“Still” in Positive Sentences
In positive sentences, “mada” indicates continuation of an action or state, often contrary to an expectation that it might have ended:
「まだ雨が降っています」(Mada ame ga futte imasu) – “It’s still raining.” 「彼はまだ学生です」(Kare wa mada gakusei desu) – “He is still a student.”
“More” in Questions of Quantity
Less commonly, “mada” can indicate “more” or “additionally” in questions about quantity or availability:
「コーヒーはまだありますか？」(Kōhī wa mada arimasu ka?) – “Is there more coffee?” 「まだ質問があります」(Mada shitsumon ga arimasu) – “I have more questions.”
Grammar and Usage of “Mada”
As an adverb, “mada” typically appears before the verb or adjective it modifies:
「私はまだ朝ごはんを食べていません」(Watashi wa mada asa gohan wo tabete imasen) – “I haven’t eaten breakfast yet.”
For negative “not yet” expressions, the pattern is “mada + te-form + inai/imasen”:
「まだ来ていません」(Mada kite imasen) – “He/she hasn’t come yet.”
For “still” in positive sentences, “mada” simply precedes the verb or adjective:
「まだ若いです」(Mada wakai desu) – “I am still young.” 「まだ学生です」(Mada gakusei desu) – “I am still a student.”
“Mada” can occasionally appear at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis:
「まだ、結論を出していません」(Mada, ketsuron wo dashite imasen) – “We haven’t reached a conclusion yet.”
“Mada” vs. Similar Japanese Words
The most common source of confusion is between “まだ” (mada) and “もう” (mou):
“Mou” means “already” in positive sentences: 「もう食べました」(Mou tabemashita) – “I already ate.”
In negative sentences, “mou” means “no more” or “not anymore”: 「もう食べません」(Mou tabemasen) – “I won’t eat anymore.”
This contrasts with “mada,” which means “not yet” in negative contexts and “still” in positive ones.
A typical exchange: 「もう食べましたか？」(Mou tabemashita ka?) – “Have you eaten already?” 「いいえ、まだです」(Iie, mada desu) – “No, not yet.”
“Mada” also differs from “今” (ima – now), which refers specifically to the present moment without implications about past or future expectations.
Common Set Phrases with “Mada”
Several idiomatic expressions use “mada” with specific meanings:
「まだ早い」(Mada hayai) – “It’s too soon” or “It’s premature.” Example: 「夏休みの計画を立てるのはまだ早いでしょう」(Natsu yasumi no keikaku wo tateru no wa mada hayai deshou) – “Isn’t it too early to make summer vacation plans?”
「まだまだ」(Mada mada) – “Still a long way to go” or “not good enough yet.” Example: 「日本語はまだまだです」(Nihongo wa mada mada desu) – “My Japanese still has a long way to go.”
「まだ大丈夫」(Mada daijoubu) – “It’s still okay” or “There’s still time.” Example: 「遅れてすみません」「まだ大丈夫ですよ」(Okurete sumimasen. Mada daijoubu desu yo.) – “Sorry I’m late.” “It’s still fine, don’t worry.”
Common Mistakes English Speakers Make
- Confusing “mada” and “mou”: Saying 「もうしていません」(Mou shite imasen) when you mean “I haven’t done it yet” is incorrect; this actually means “I don’t do it anymore.” The correct expression is 「まだしていません」(Mada shite imasen).
- Incorrect placement: “Mada” typically comes directly before the verb phrase it modifies. Saying 「私は食べていませんまだ」(Watashi wa tabete imasen mada) sounds unnatural; the correct order is 「私はまだ食べていません」(Watashi wa mada tabete imasen).
- Misunderstanding contextual meaning: In a positive sentence like 「まだあります」(Mada arimasu), “mada” means “still” or “more,” not “not yet.” The meaning shifts based on whether the sentence is positive or negative.
Cultural Insights: How “Mada” Reflects Japanese Perspectives
The frequent use of “mada” reflects cultural values of patience, appropriate timing, and indirect communication in Japanese society.
「まだ早い」(mada hayai – “it’s too early”) demonstrates the cultural value of proper timing—things should happen neither too early nor too late.
「まだまだ」(mada mada) connects to the concept of “kaizen” (continuous improvement) in Japanese culture, where even experts consider themselves eternal students.
“Mada” also facilitates indirect communication: 「まだ考えています」(Mada kangaete imasu – “I’m still thinking about it”) is often a polite way to avoid saying “no” directly.
「まだ決めていません」(Mada kimete imasen – “I haven’t decided yet”) can function as a soft refusal without explicitly rejecting someone’s proposal.
Practical Usage Tips
To master “mada,” pay attention to these key points:
- Context determines meaning: The meaning of “mada” depends primarily on whether the sentence is positive (still/more) or negative (not yet).
- Formality is neutral: “Mada” itself is neither formal nor informal; the formality of your sentence depends on other elements like verb forms.
- Past tense usage: “Mada” doesn’t change form for tense, but the verb will: 「まだ来ていませんでした」(Mada kite imasen deshita) – “He/she had not come yet.”
- Difference from “ima made”: While “mada” means “still” or “not yet,” “今まで” (ima made) means “until now” or “so far”: 「今まで日本に行ったことがありません」(Ima made Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasen) – “I have not been to Japan so far.” 「まだ日本に行っていません」(Mada Nihon ni itte imasen) – “I haven’t been to Japan yet.”
Practice using “mada” in various contexts, listening carefully to how native speakers use it. Try creating dialogues that incorporate common exchanges with “mada” and “mou” to internalize the differences.
Conclusion
Mastering “mada” represents an important milestone in your Japanese language journey. This small but mighty word encapsulates much about how Japanese people think about time, progress, and expectations. By understanding its various meanings and contexts, you gain access to essential nuances in Japanese communication.
Remember that using “mada” correctly is not just about vocabulary—it’s about understanding Japanese cultural perspectives on time, progress, and indirect communication. As you incorporate this word into your conversations, your Japanese will sound more natural and culturally fluent.
「日本語の習得はまだまだ続く道のりです」(Nihongo no shutoku wa mada mada tsuzuku michinori desu) – “Mastering Japanese is still a continuing journey.”