Translation of Spanish word "ya" to English
ya
/ɟ͡ʝa/
Meaning
VerbPrior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
How to use
The word 'ya' is used to indicate that something has already happened or is currently happening. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, and its usage is quite versatile. One crucial grammatical nuance to note is that 'ya' can be used as an adverb to indicate a completed action, but it can also be used as a conjunction to indicate a cause or a reason.
🇬🇧 English
already / now / anymore
Example
Me sorprendió que ella no me hubiera contado ya la noticia.
I was surprised that she hadn't already told me the news.
Gran parte de lo que dijo ya lo sabía.
Much of what he said I already knew.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- ya lo sé— I already know
- ya estoy— I am already
- ya he— I have already
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #35 in Spanish
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Spanish word "ya" mean?▼
The Spanish word "ya" means "already / now / anymore" in English.
How do you pronounce the Spanish word "ya"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "ya" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "ya"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ya he terminado mis deberes." (which translates as "I was surprised that she hadn't already told me the news.").
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