"Ya lo sé" or "Lo sé?"

Question

SpanishDict translates both "ya lo se" and "lo se" to "I know", so does one need to use the "ya"?

Why not use it? The more you say the more fluent you will sound. - Eddy, Aug 6, 2010

Answer 1

"Ya" is a really interesting adverb (well, usually an adverb) because it means a lot of things depending on context. In the present tense it means now or already, except in a negative construction when it means no longer:

Ya lo sé - I already know it. Ya estoy listo - Now I'm ready. Ya no trabajo allí - I no longer work there.

In the past though, it almost always means already: Ya lo hice, I already did it.

In the future, it means later: Ya lo haré - I'll do it later. Or to offer assurance: Ya verás que llegará en punto - You'll see that he'll arrive on time.

It can mean since/because: Ya que no está aquí, no pedemos empezar. - Since he isn't here, we can't start.

To indicate frustration: ¡Basta ya! - Enough already! ¡Ya era hora! - It's about time!

To express agreement: ¡Ya, ya! - Oh sure! Or ironic, mock agreement: Ya, y el papa es luterano. - Sure, and the Pope is Lutheran!

Answer 2

You can drop the ya and just make it "lo sé."

The ya means now or already.

Answer 3

I agree with Greg.

"Lo sé" = I know (about it).

"Ya lo sé" = I already know (about it).

Answer 4

I am not too sure but I think this may be a regional thing. I believe, althougth Heidi might correct me, where's that corner now?, but they use the ya in northern and central Spain.