Translation of German word "ja" to English
ja
/ja/
Meaning
particleUsed to show agreement or acceptance.
How to use
The word ja acts as the basic answer 'yes', but it also frequently serves as a modal particle meaning 'indeed / after all / as you know / by all means' (Du weißt ja, wie er ist — As you know, that's how he is; Komm ja nicht zu spät! — Make absolutely sure you are not late!). When used as a particle, it is unstressed.
🇬🇧 English
yes
Example
Hast du schon gefrühstückt? Ja, ich habe schon gefrühstückt.
Have you already eaten breakfast? Yes, I've already eaten breakfast.
Ja, du kannst jetzt draußen spielen gehen.
Yes, you can go play outside now.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationCommon phrases
- ja, natürlich— yes, of course
- Du weißt ja,— You know indeed / As you know,
- komm ja nicht— make absolutely sure not to come (warning)
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #68 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "ja"?▼
The German word "ja" is defined as: "Used to show agreement or acceptance."
What does the German word "ja" mean?▼
The German word "ja" means "yes" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "ja"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "ja" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "ja"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich sage ja zu dem Angebot." (which translates as "Have you already eaten breakfast? Yes, I've already eaten breakfast.").
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