How to Write 既 (jì) — Meaning “Already / since / both”

Imagine the left side as a kneeling person (旡) who has already finished eating, and the right side as a curved hook (乚) like a bent back from fullness. This picture of a person who is already done helps you recall the meaning "already." You can also think of "ji" as "gee, I'm already done!"

Start with the left radical 旡: write two horizontal lines, a vertical line, a horizontal line, then a left-slanting stroke. Then for the right side, write a horizontal line, a vertical hook (like an "L" shape), and finally a small dot above the hook. A common mistake is making the hook too large or forgetting the dot, which changes the character.

The phrase 既然 (jìrán) means "since" or "now that" and starts a reason clause, often followed by 就. 既...又 (jì...yòu) means "both...and...", used to describe two qualities, like 既便宜又好吃 (both cheap and tasty). 既往 (jìwǎng) means "the past" and appears in idioms like 既往不咎 (let bygones be bygones).

既 is a function word indicating a completed action or state, common in both formal writing and daily speech. A famous cultural saying is 既来之，则安之 (since we are here, let's make ourselves comfortable), which encourages accepting a situation. This proverb comes from Confucian texts and is still used to promote adaptability.

Common words containing 既 include: 既然 (jì rán) — Since / now that; 既...又 (jì yòu) — both... and...; 既往 (jì wǎng) — The past.