| とっくに (tokkuni) | とうに (touni) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Long ago already / way before now | Already by now / long since |
| Nuance | Strong emphasis: “long before you expected” | Milder: “already, some time ago” |
| Register | Casual | Neutral to slightly literary |
| Feel | Impatient or surprised emphasis | Matter-of-fact completion |
YukaBoth とっくに and とうに seem to mean “already.” What’s the difference?
Reiとっくに has strong emphasis — “that happened LONG ago, way before now.” とうに is softer — “that has already happened, some time ago.” とっくに sounds almost impatient; とうに is more matter-of-fact.
What Does とっくに (tokkuni) Mean?
とっくに is an adverb meaning long ago already or way before now. It expresses that something happened much earlier than expected or much earlier than the current moment. It often carries a nuance of impatience, surprise, or mild exasperation — “that was done ages ago!”
- もうとっくに終わった。 — It finished a long time ago.
- とっくに知っていた。 — I’ve known that for a long time.
- 彼はとっくに帰った。 — He left long ago.
- それはとっくに解決した問題だ。 — That’s an issue that was resolved long ago.
What Does とうに (touni) Mean?
とうに is an adverb meaning already or long since. It is slightly more literary or formal than とっくに and carries less emotional emphasis. It simply states that something has already occurred or passed, often implying it happened before the expected time.
- 彼女はとうに気づいていた。 — She had long since noticed / already realized it.
- その時代はとうに過ぎた。 — That era has long since passed.
- 子供たちはとうに寝ていた。 — The children were already long asleep.
- 期限はとうに過ぎている。 — The deadline has long since passed.
Comparison
| Feature | とっくに | とうに |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis | Strong — “way long ago” | Mild — “already, some time ago” |
| Emotional nuance | Impatience, mild exasperation, surprise | Matter-of-fact, calm |
| Register | Casual, spoken | Neutral, slightly literary |
| Interchangeable? | Often yes, but tone differs | Often yes, but less emphatic |
YukaIf my friend asks if dinner is ready and it’s been done for hours, which should I say?
Reiとっくに！— it’s perfect for “It’s been done for ages!” with a slightly exasperated or amused tone. とうに would be more neutral: “It’s already been done.”
Memory Tip
- とっくに — The double “k” sound (とっく) gives a sharp, emphatic feel — like emphasizing “LONG ago!”
- とうに — Longer, smoother vowel sound — softer, more measured
- Both always pair with past tense or completed states
Quick Quiz
Fill in: とっくに or とうに?
- 1. 彼は___帰ったよ。もう誰もいない。 (He left a long time ago. No one is there anymore.)
- 2. その問題は___解決されていた。 (That problem had long since been resolved.)
- 3. もう___知ってた！なんで今更？ (I’ve known that for ages! Why are you telling me now?)
- 4. 時代は___変わっていた。 (The times had already long since changed.)
Answers: 1. とっくに 2. とうに 3. とっくに 4. とうに
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Summary
| とっくに | とうに | |
|---|---|---|
| Core feel | “That was done AGES ago!” (emphatic) | “That has already happened” (calm) |
| Register | Casual, expressive | Neutral, slightly literary |
| Best for | Expressing surprise or impatience | Stating a past fact calmly |
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