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"Ya" is an adverb which is often translated as "already", and "contaminar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to pollute". Learn more about the difference between "ya" and "contaminar" below.
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.
contaminar(
kohn
-
tah
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mee
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nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to pollute (the sea or the atmosphere)
Muchas de esas fábricas han emitido gases que contaminaban la atmósfera.Many of those factories have emitted gases that polluted the atmosphere.
b. to contaminate (food or a sample)
Las aguas residuales habían contaminado los cultivos.The sewage had contaminated the crops.
2. (to pervert)
a. to corrupt
Muchos han acusado a la televisión de contaminar la mente de los jóvenes.Many have accused television of corrupting the minds of the youth.
a. to corrupt (a language or a culture)
Tras siglos de convivencia, el castellano está contaminado por el catalán y viceversa.After centuries of coexistence, Spanish is corrupted by Catalan and vice versa.
contaminarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to become polluted (sea or atmosphere)
Tras el atentado contra el oleoducto, el río se contaminó con petróleo crudo.After the attack on the pipeline, the river became polluted with crude oil.
b. to become contaminated (food or sample)
La muestra se contaminó con ADN exógeno.The sample became contaminated by exogenous DNA.
