Como uso la palabra "ya"?

Question

I thought that "ya" meant "already", but I've seen it used in various ways that don't seem to translate to "already". I am at a total loss as to how to correctly use this word (and have been for quite some time now) and all of its meanings. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I've been picking up on a lot of new uses of "ya" during my time here in México. In general, it seems to be used for actions that are completed or in the process of being completed, and sometimes means "now". For instance...

"Ya voy." = "I'm coming." (I already go.) Even if the person saying it isn't quite ready to leave yet, they still might say this (same as we use "I'm coming" in English).

"Ya." (by itself, when discussing a given action) = "Done." (eg, "Dímelo cuando terminas." / "Ya.")

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The dictionary here has a lot of different definitions and usage examples, such as "at once", "presently", "now", "in the future", etc.

You know, when I read the part that said "I already go", something in my head just clicked! Lol! A little light bulb came on and I understand it a little more now. :) Thanks! - malcriada, Oct 29, 2010

Isn't that a wonderful feeling! - Soninmyeyes, Oct 29, 2010

Answer 2

You can find it on the dictionary of this page.. Ya on Spanishdict

Ya

adverb

• already (en el pasado)

ya me lo habías contado -> you had already told me

¿llamaron o han llamado ya? -> have they called yet?

¿habrán llegado ya? -> will they have arrived yet o by now?

ya en 1926 -> as long ago as 1926

• now (ahora)

bueno, yo ya me voy -> right, I'm off now

¡ya voy! -> I'm coming!

• (en frases negativas)

ya no me duele -> it doesn't hurt any more, it no longer hurts

ya no es así -> it's no longer like that

• at once (inmediatamente)

hay que hacer algo ya -> something has to be done now o at once

• (en el futuro)

ya te llamaré -> I'll give you a ring some time

¡ya te agarraré yo a ti! -> I'll get you sooner or later!

ya hablaremos -> we'll talk later

ya verás -> you'll (soon) see

• (refuerza al verbo)

ya entiendo/lo sé -> I understand/know

conjunction

• (distributiva)

ya (sea) por… ya (sea) por… -> whether for… or…

• (adversativa)

ya no… sino…, no ya… sino… -> not only… but…

• (consecutiva)

ya que -> since

ya que has venido, ayúdame con esto -> since you're here, give me a hand with this

interjection

also:

¡ya! -> right!; (expresa asentimiento) yes! (expresa comprensión)

¡ya, ya! (Irónico) -> sure!, yes, of course!

1. Already (pasado).

2. Presently, immediately, now (presente).

3. Finally, ultimately.

4. At another time, on another occasion.

Ya no es lo que ha sido -> it is not now what it has been

Ya estamos en ello, we’ve got it, we understand it. Ya voy, -> am going, or I am going presently

Ya esto -> ya aquello, now this, now that

Ya que has venido -> since you are coming, or since you are here

interrogative

1. Used on being brought to recollect something.

¿No se acuerda Ud -> de tal cosa

Ya estaba yo en eso, -> was already of that mind

-part. Now. Ya, ya, do you not remember such a thing? Yes, yes: Ya se ve, yes, you can see it! it is clear, it is so.

I read what the dictionary had to offer, but I just felt like I needed more. Like perhaps there's a more in-depth explanation for how to determine when and how it's used. But, I guess the answer is - PRACTICE! Thank you! - malcriada, Oct 29, 2010