já
Czech
Etymology
From Old Czech jáz, from Proto-Slavic *azъ, from Proto-Indo-European *eǵHóm.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [ˈjaː]
audio (file)
Declension
Derived terms
- jáství n
Related terms
Icelandic
Etymology
From Old Norse já (“yes”), Proto-Germanic *ja (“yes”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /jauː/
- Rhymes: -auː
Synonyms
- jamm (informal)
- jahá (informal, joyful)
Inari Sami
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *jahw.
Indo-Portuguese
Etymology
From Portuguese já (“already; now”), from Old Portuguese ja, from Latin iam (“already”), from Proto-Indo-European *yē (“already”).
Particle
já
- used in conjunction with the past tense
- 1883, Hugo Schuchardt, Kreolische Studien, volume 3:
- Já fallou par su pai aquêl mais piquin, […]
- The youngest one told his father, […]
- Já fallou par su pai aquêl mais piquin, […]
- 1883, Hugo Schuchardt, Kreolische Studien, volume 3:
Northern Sami
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation
- (Kautokeino) IPA(key): /ˈjaː/
Adverb
já
- This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text
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Old Norse
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *ja (“yes”).
Portuguese
Etymology
From Old Portuguese ja, from Latin iam (“already”), from Proto-Indo-European *yē (“already”). Cognate with French jà/déjà, Italian già, and Spanish ya.
Adverb
já (not comparable)
- (usually preceding verbs in the past tense) already (indicating that something has happened before)
- Já li esse livro.
- I have already read this book.
- (usually following verbs in the present tense) now (at this instant)
- Consigo fazer isso já.
- I can do this right now.
- Compre já!
- Buy now!
- Synonym: agora
- (in negative sentences, preceding the adverb não) any more; any longer
- Eu já não leio mais muitos livros.
- I don’t read many books any more.
- Synonym: mais
- (usually preceding verbs in the present tense) in a minute; soon
- (preceding noun phrases) on the other hand, however
- Gosto de ler, já a minha mãe não lê nem as notícias.
- I enjoy reading, my mother, on the other hand, doesn’t even read the news.
- Synonyms: por outro lado, no entanto
- (preceding a verb in the passive participle) ever
- O melhor bolo já feito
- The best cake ever made
Usage notes
In Portuguese, já is said more frequently than the English equivalents. It is sometimes left untranslated altogether.
Quotations
For quotations using this term, see Citations:já.