The use of ya

Question

I am currently staying with a spanish-speaking family and have heard them use the word Ya many times but can never understand what it means. I have checked in the dictionary but it's confused me more.

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What are the different literal and idiomatic uses of ya?

many thanks in advance!

Cardiff1985

Answer 1

What are the different literal and idiomatic uses of ya?

Well, for me and my exposure to Mexican household (married 15 yrs with a Mexicana), my opinion is lateral use of:

"enough" In many situations we use "Stop it" to mean this word . "no more" or "stop it".

cooking other things mixed: putting salt (or other ingredients) in a recipe. "Ya, la sal es suficiente.

when children are beahaving bad, we will say..."Enough of this.....stop it!.

when people are arguing.....(Stop, enough, not going to talk anymore about this right now)

Bassically, when your patience or something else has had enough.....¡YA! No mas. Right now!"

Basic application.

MG

P.D. My wife says this a lot to me.

Very interesting thank you! - Cardiff1985, Dec 31, 2011

my post is how I understaand it and use it. not sure on the gramatical use referenced below. - MexGuy, Dec 31, 2011

Answer 2

Can also be used if had somethingor doing something before but do not want to have or do it more. For example.......very common.

If you were drinking coffee and asked if you want (need) more....

¿Quieres mas cafe? Ya no, tengo cafe sufficiente.

¿Vas a los clubs de baile? Ya no. (Meaning not anymore.)

¿Tiene novio todavia?. Ya no. (Not anymore.)

Answer 3

Re-reading your post, seems you are in a current situation where you want to understand the use of "ya". Speaking basically......

If someone is putting more food on your plate than you want, you can use the the word "ya: politely as "Ya señor(a), gracias."

Same if someone doing whatever for you (filling a glass of wine, salt on food, etc).

If anyone is doing more than you want, use the word "ya" and they should understand.

Stop....now......enough.....no more. etc.

The true gramatical of the use can be investigated and understood after your current situation.

Answer 4

Hi Cardiff,

I would suggest that context is probably the key to understanding the way in which this word is being used. In any case, there are numerous threads already opened on this topic that you might find useful.

For example, here is one that Eddy opened a while back (Lazarus posted some helpful notes regarding elliptical usage of "ya" on this thread): ya

You might also try having a look at the RAE entry for "ya"

lazarus' post is very good. i had not seen it but it seems to boil down to "now". - MexGuy, Dec 31, 2011