"If only" = "Si ya"?

Question

My trusty grammar book says that "si ya" means "if only". Is this true and how is this used in context (my book didn't give an example, unfortunately).

Gracias,

Tim

Answer 1

gabrielheiser said:

I found it to mean "If already", such as "Si ya instaló un programa antivirus en su equipo, es importante mantenerlo actualizado." = If you have already installed an antivirus program on your computer, it's important that you keep it up to date.

Si ya instaló un programa antivirus is perfect Spanish (1st type of if clauses)

Si ya hubiera o hubiese instalado un programa antivirus is grammatically correct too and it's a 2nd type of if clauses.

What is at stake here are the not the tenses being used in the if clauses, but whether or not "si ya" is the equivalent of "if only". Let's take these examples in Spanish and their translations.

Si ya terminaste de comer, vete a tu habitación. If you already finished eating, then go to your room (si ya here means if already)

Si ya se van, entonces les preparo sus maletas. If they are leaving already, then I will pack their bags for them (si ya here also means if already)

Answer 2

I found it to mean "If already", such as "Si ya instaló un programa antivirus en su equipo, es importante mantenerlo actualizado." = If you have already installed an antivirus program on your computer, it's important that you keep it up to date.

This reasoning is correct, however, it should be "Si ya hayas instalado ..............."

Grammar books that give out short phrases without context are useless, so an example could be "If only I had money, I could go to the concert" ...... "Si sólo tuviera dinero, podría ir al concierto."

Execllentl...thanks...I learned something new from this! - --Mariana--, Dec 23, 2012

Answer 3

I found it to mean "If already", such as "Si ya instaló un programa antivirus en su equipo, es importante mantenerlo actualizado." = If you have already installed an antivirus program on your computer, it's important that you keep it up to date.