Trying to wrap my head around "Ya"

Question

I am trying to understand "Ya" and it's use, any tips for me?

Thanks

Ya! - Jeremias, Oct 2, 2011

Answer 1

When I was learning about ya I wrote this for my notes:

"Ya" is a really interesting 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.

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!

Awesome! Thanks for all the help. - keithiopian, Oct 2, 2011

"...no podemos empezar." - pesta, Oct 2, 2011

Very enlightening for me too Jeremias, thanks! - Yeser007, Oct 2, 2011

Actually no pedemos empezar is pretty funny! - Jeremias, Oct 9, 2011