schon

Ich bin schon da. — earlier than expected / already done.

noch

Ich warte noch. — continuation; noch nicht = not yet.

schon wieder

Schon wieder Regen! — repetition, can sound complaining.

nicht mehr vs noch

nicht mehr = no longer; noch = still.

Practice

Answer five time questions about your day using schon or noch.

Practical Examples

1. German: Hast du deine E-Mails schon gecheckt?

English: Have you checked your emails yet? Note: Used to ask if an action has been completed up to now.

1. German: Es ist schon dunkel draußen.

English: It's already dark outside. Note: Expresses that something has happened earlier or faster than expected.

1. German: Ich habe noch Hunger.

English: I'm still hungry. Note: Indicates that a state or feeling continues.

1. German: Wir sind noch nicht fertig.

English: We are not finished yet. Note: Used in negative sentences to express that something has not happened up to the present moment.

1. German: Er ist schon wieder zu spät!

English: He's late again! Note: Expresses repetition, often with a slight tone of annoyance or surprise.

1. German: Hast du noch etwas Kaffee für mich?

English: Do you still have some coffee for me? Note: Asks about the remaining quantity or availability of something.

1. German: Sie lernt schon seit zwei Stunden Deutsch.

English: She has already been learning German for two hours. Note: Emphasizes the duration of an ongoing action, often implying it's a long time.

1. German: Ich kann noch nicht gehen, ich muss arbeiten.

English: I can't go yet, I have to work. Note: Indicates that an action is not possible or not happening at the current moment.

1. German: Oh nein, mein Handy ist schon wieder leer.

English: Oh no, my phone battery is dead again. Note: Expresses a repeated, often undesirable, event.

1. German: Ist der Kuchen schon fertig gebacken?

English: Is the cake already baked? Note: Asks if a process has reached its completion.

1. German: Wir haben noch eine Stunde bis zum Abflug.

English: We still have an hour until departure. Note: Indicates a remaining amount of time.

1. German: Ich habe das Buch schon gelesen.

English: I have already read the book. Note: States that an action was completed in the past.

1. German: Musst du schon wieder ins Bett? Es ist doch erst 20 Uhr!

English: Do you have to go to bed again already? It's only 8 PM! Note: Expresses surprise or mild disbelief about a repeated or early action.

1. German: Ich habe noch nie so etwas Leckeres gegessen.

English: I have never eaten something so delicious (yet). Note: "noch nie" means "never yet" or "never before", emphasizing the lack of experience up to now.

1. German: Der Zug fährt schon in fünf Minuten ab!

English: The train is leaving in five minutes already! Note: Emphasizes the imminence of an event, often with a sense of urgency.