schon
already
Expresses that something has happened earlier than expected or has already happened.
EXAMPLE
Hast du deine Hausaufgaben schon gemacht?
Have you already done your homework?
schon
already
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Meanings
schon
it’ll be okay
Used as a particle to reassure, encourage, or soften a statement.
EXAMPLE
Keine Sorge, das wird schon wieder gut.
Don’t worry, it’ll be okay again.
schon
really
Used to emphasize or confirm a statement; really, actually.
EXAMPLE
Das ist schon eine Überraschung!
That really is a surprise!
schon
admittedly
Introduces an objection or limitation; admittedly, granted.
EXAMPLE
Er ist schon sehr intelligent, aber leider auch ziemlich faul.
He is admittedly very intelligent, but unfortunately also quite lazy.
schon
already
Expresses impatience or a rhetorical expectation in a question.
EXAMPLE
Kommst du nun schon?
Are you coming already?
Usage tips
Sentence position
The position of 'schon' in the sentence is flexible, but it usually appears in the middle part of the sentence, often directly after the verb or the subject. Its position can slightly change the emphasis.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe das schon erledigt.
I have already taken care of that.
Context clue
The exact meaning of 'schon' depends heavily on tone of voice and context. A question with 'schon' can express impatience, while a statement with 'schon' often has a reassuring or confirming effect.
EXAMPLE
Das wird schon wieder.
It’ll be okay again.
Use with the perfect tense
In the meaning of 'bereits' (already), 'schon' is very often used in sentences in the perfect tense to ask or say that an action has been completed.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den Film schon gesehen.
I’ve already seen the film.
Typical expressions
In its reassuring function, 'schon' often appears in fixed, optimistic expressions. Common ones are 'Das wird schon!' (It’ll be okay!), 'Das klappt schon!' (It’ll work out!), or 'Passt schon!' (It’s fine!).
EXAMPLE
Mach dir keine Sorgen, das wird schon klappen.
Don’t worry, it’ll work out.
Sentence structure with 'aber'
When 'schon' introduces a limitation, a second part of the sentence with 'aber' (but) almost always follows. The structure is: [statement] schon, aber [contrasting statement].
EXAMPLE
Die Wohnung ist schon schön, aber sie ist zu teuer.
The apartment is admittedly nice, but it’s too expensive.
Compare with
schon vs bereits
already
Schon and bereits both say that something happened earlier than expected or at an earlier point in time. Schon usually sounds more natural and more conversational, while bereits sounds more factual and formal. The meaning is nearly the same.
schon
Die Gäste sind schon angekommen.
The guests have already arrived.
bereits
Die Gäste sind bereits angekommen.
The guests have already arrived.
In real life
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