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すでに・とっくに: the difference

Meaning

Already, Too late

Past papers

Not yet

Example

時とき既すでに遅おそし。

You are already too late.

Meaning

Already, A long time ago, Long ago

Past papers

Not yet

Example

「バス?とっくに行いっちゃったよ。」

'The bus? It has already left.'

How to tell them apart

「もう」: the plain one; just says it is already done. 「もう食べた」 (I've already eaten).

「すでに」: formal and written; it is already finished at the time of speaking. 「すでに提出済みだ」 (Already submitted).

「とっくに」: spoken and a bit exaggerated: done a long, long time ago.

All about すでに ›All about とっくに ›