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"U" is a noun which is often translated as "u", and "ya" is an adverb which is often translated as "already". Learn more about the difference between "u" and "ya" below.
la u, u(
oo
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (letter)
2. (colloquial) (university) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. college (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Piensas ir a la u?Are you thinking of going to college?
b. uni (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mi hermano está en la u.My brother is at uni.
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
U
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
4. (university)
ya(
yah
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
"¡Ya voy!", dijo David al escuchar el timbre."I'm coming!" said David when he heard the doorbell.
Tengo que ir a hacer una llamada. Ya vengo.I have to go make a phone call. I'll be right back.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Perdón, pero ya conseguí una pareja de baile. - Ya veo.I'm sorry, but I already found a dance partner. - I see.
Me las vas a pagar. Ya vas a ver.You're going to pay for that. Just wait and see.
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. whether
Mis fans siempre me apoyaron, ya en las buenas, ya en las malas.My fans always supported me, whether in good times or in bad times.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
8. (colloquial) (used to express annoyance) (Bolivia) (Mexico) (Nicaragua)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Bolivia
Regionalism used in Mexico
Regionalism used in Nicaragua
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ya, dejen de pelear.Hey, stop fighting.
¡Ya! Intento concentrarme.Knock it off! I'm trying to focus.
