Grammar Point

まだ

still, as yet, only

(not) yet

with verb in the negative

まだ + Affirmative

When used with an affirmative verb, まだ means 'still'. It shows that a state or action from the past is continuing into the present moment.

Plain Non-past Verb

Used primarily with stative verbs to indicate that a certain state still exists.


There is still time.

Verb て form + いる

Used with dynamic action verbs in the continuous form to show that an action is currently still ongoing.


He is still sleeping.

Note

Do not use まだ with a simple past tense affirmative verb. Because まだ implies an ongoing continuation into the present, combining it with a completed past action is ungrammatical.

まだ + Negative

When used with a negative verb, まだ means 'not yet'. It shows that an expected action or state has not happened up to the present moment.

Plain Negative Non-past Verb

Used to indicate that a state or action is not happening yet, or will not happen for a while.


The bus is not coming yet.

Verb て form + いない

Used to express that someone has not yet completed an action. This is the standard way to say that you have not done something yet.


I have not eaten a meal yet.

Note

A common mistake is using the simple past negative tense to mean you have not done something yet. You must use the continuous negative form to indicate that an action has not been completed up to the present moment.



Radicals of radicals