Todavia no vs. ya no

Question

Can these two expressions be used interchangeably? Todavía no and ya no

Is there a better time to use one over the other?

Answer 1

Hi thaibean, welcome to SpanishDict

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And here's the answer to your question:

# ya no means "no longer", e.g.: Ya no es lo que ha sido - It is no longer now what it has been; ya no me duele - it doesn't hurt any more; ya no es así - it's no longer like that

# todavía no means "not yet", e.g.: todavía no lo he recibido - I haven't got it yet; todavía no lo ha encontrado - he still has not found it

Answer 2

I wanted to answer this question. It is very interesting.

If you change the tense, the meaning changes too.

"ya no vayas" (it is not necessary for you to go anymore)

"todavía no vayas" (wait for a time)

Answer 3

I think of Ya = already whereas todavia = yet, so one is past looking, one is forward looking. So if someone said (I'm still trying to figure out how to do the accents and punctuation marks): "Ya has hecho tu tarea?" (have you already [past] done your homework?) -- the most likely answer is probably "Todavia no" or Not yet. [future]

If, however, for some reason, the homework/assignment/work had been cancelled, say by my professor, I could probably say "Ya no lo necesito". (I don't have to) -- it was already [past] cancelled.

¡Gracias! I've pondered your answer for a little bit now, and it sounds convincing. :) - Maureen-Early, NOV 28, 2009

Answer 4

Ya no necesitan una respuesta! Lo siento!

Answer 5

Interesting question Thaibean06. Something I also have been confused about. Thanks for bringing it up, You get a vote from me! Great answer Isabella!

Answer 6

I'm studying in Mexico, and I have been wondering the same thing. I read the two answers above, and it's still not clear to me if they are interchangeable when someone asks you if you've already done something. Entonces, si alguien te pregunta, "¿Ya has hecho tu tarea?" could you answer either "Ya no" or "Todavia no"?