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ya

One tiny word that shifts a sentence in time, and native speakers use it constantly.

Quick answer

ya

Natural: already / right now / got it
Literal: “already”

How it is used

Ya voy.I am on my way / coming right now.
Ya terminé.I have already finished.
Ya no vivo aquí.I do not live here anymore.
—Es a las ocho. —Ya.—It is at eight. —Got it.

Where it is said

In Spain a flat <b>ya</b> often just means “I see”, while in much of Latin America <b>ya</b> leans harder on “right now”.

A mini dialogue

— ¿Ya comiste?— Have you eaten yet?
— Ya, gracias.— Yes, already, thanks.

Watch out

ya

Do not translate it as “already” every time; in ya no it means “not anymore”, which is the opposite direction.

Check yourself

What does “Ya no trabajo allí” mean?

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