Help with phrase using "Ya"

Question

I was listening to a podcast and the host said "Ya no podemos salir" in regards to things they can't do when it's raining. From doing a search on threads, I found this list, so my guess is that the phrase basically means "We can't go out any longer"? I'm having some trouble with this word outside of uses such as already, anymore, and "yet" when used in a question, so can someone let me know if my interpretation of "Ya in this instance is correct? Thanks!

Ya - already Ya - now Ya - right now Ya - later Ya - no longer. ya que - now that Ya que - since Ya - used for emphasis - ya lo sé No ya - not only Ya....ya - first....then - ya le gusta, ya no (first you like it, then you don´t)

Answer 1

"Ya" es un adverbio ("Ya" is an adverb):

• Ya quiero irme - I want to leave now! (Immediately)

• Ya hemos hablado de esto - We have spoken about it already (In the past)

• ¡Aumento de salarios, ya! - Higher wages, in this moment! (Immediately)

• Era millonario, pero ya no - He was a millionaire, but not anymore (In the present, closely related to the past)

• Ya escribiré la carta - I will write the letter (Emphatic)

• ¡Ya voy! - I'm coming! (I am right in the process of getting there, so it won't take long - a response to someone who's calling)

• Ya en el ejército, me hice abogado - Once in the army I became a lawyer (In the past related to a second action also in the past)

• ¡Ya! - Stop! or Enough!

Below, "ya", which is an adverb, but used as a conjunction (Conjunciones distributivas)

• Ya en el aula, ya en mi oficina, soy feliz - I'm happy both in class or in my office

• Ya entiendo - I understand (To agree with or support something)

"Ya" used as an interjection (Repeated, colloquial)

• ¡Ya, ya! - Ok! or Alright! (Indicates you understand, agree with, follow, embrace, or had enough)

Other collocations:

• Pues ya - That's it or It's done

• Ya mero (Mexican expression) - "Right away" or "In just a second"

• Ya que lo aprendiste, enséñamelo - Now you've learned it, teach me.

Very helpful. Thanks. - AnnRon, May 27, 2017

You're welcome! - Raff75, May 28, 2017

Answer 2

You thoughts are correct - ya no (ya in a negated sentence) means no longer.

Here is an answer with a nice contrast with todavía no:

http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/116214/todavia-no-vs.-ya-no

And here's the answer to your question:

ya no means "no longer", e.g.: Ya no es lo que ha sido - It is no longer now what it has been; ya no me duele - it doesn't hurt any more; ya no es así - it's no longer like that

todavía no means "not yet", e.g.: todavía no lo he recibido - I haven't got it yet; todavía no lo ha encontrado - he still has not found it

Thanks for asking this question. I've always had trouble with "ya," a word that seems to mean so many different things, but is often given in portable dictionaries as simply "already." - AnnRon, May 27, 2017

Oops! I meant to put this comment under the question. - AnnRon, May 27, 2017

Yes, it's a helpful question. Ya is a very complex and peculiar term, with no direct equivalent in English, so it should be described by the use of cases. - Raff75, May 27, 2017

Answer 3

Yes, you might be right. I've just written a note to my husband saying: " Ya vengo" and the meaning would be something like "I'm coming soon." So it seems Ya has lots of meanings.

Ya no te quiero más.
Yo no estudio más inglés. Ya no tenemos hambre.
A esta altura del mes ya no tengo más dinero. Lo gasté todo.
Ahora estoy delgada. Ya no hago dieta.

Answer 4

No doubt "ya" has multiple meanings. Here's one example from my personal experience.

After finishing a job, someone said "ya". Obviously it meant "finished", "done".