YA vs TODAVÍA - How to Use these WITHOUT translating

In this video, you'll learn how to use the Spanish words ya and todavía.
Specifically, I'll show you how to choose between "ya" or "todavía" without translating directly from English.
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[@steinbrugge]

I'm a native spanish speaker from Chile, and I was very impressed for this explanation about these 2 adverbs. Of course this make sense and it is totally correct. This is a safe manner to learn these words. Congratulations for the teacher.

[@SanketAlekar]

This is a great explanation. A simple way to think about this is: "Ya" implies a change of state from past to present and "Todavia" implies the status quo from past to present. "Ya estoy listo" -> "I'm already ready" (change of state) "Todavia no estoy listo" -> "I'm not ready yet." (status quo) "Todavia trabajas en el mercado?" -> Do you still work at the market? (status quo) "Ya no trabajo ahi" -> "I don't work there anymore" (change of state)

[@justtiredthings]

This channel is really good at identifying concepts non-native speakers struggle with, but this explanation is much easier to hold in one's head, thank you! Reducing the amount of mental translation calculations is really important when trying to converse at a reasonable speed

[@sgeba1]

Silly comment, maybe but you're really a nice man. I get the feeling you want to be helpful and are very well organized, patient and enjoy your work. It's nice to learn with you.

[@lukewilson191]

yeah it was a very silly comment, please don't write things like this!

[@ZealousWins]

@@lukewilson191 🙄

[@victorbugarin5409]

@@lukewilson191 🦅Hey it was a compliment and the most least read comments here on KZbin

[@tinacinnamon]

Suzanne it’s not a silly comment. You are spreading positivity by saying nice things about people (even strangers on the internet). That’s a lovely thing to do! Don’t listen to the naysayers.

[@AeliosArt]

This seems to be basically the same as Japanese mō (もう) vs. mada (まだ) and that’s how I’ve related it: Todavía (mada): expresses the idea that someone or something is in the same state that he or it was in some time ago. Ya (mō): expresses the idea that someone or something is *not* in the same state he or it was in some time ago. Does that sound correct to you? Or is there something that is missing?

[@arifjonatan9300]

This is actually the best explanation I've ever read about this topic. In my language (Indonesian) we also use the same distinction. Thanks.

[@writeousrhema]

This is exactly what I was hoping to get. Thanks for this comment

[@BohdanMelnychuk]

I am glad I am not the only one comparing grammar of arbitrary languages to Japanese grammar (even though I know only the basics of the latter)

[@Emile.gorgonZola]

ピンポン、正解です

[@zaynabmerheb1]

It would be more useful if there was a pdf for this lesson to download

[@marisolflandez3964]

I've watched about 4 videos so far and I find it extremely useful and essentially new way of learning spanish FOR ADULTS!

[@justforentertainment2734]

This is good

[@josegiovani9147]

Yo soy de México y domino muy bien el español, pero me dio curiosidad por buscar un video que buscarían americanos o gente que quiere aprender español y su lengua materna jajaja es un poco raro y divertido. Ánimo a todos! Ustedes pueden aprender español!

[@ianperez5122]

The negative/positive explanation cleared up months of me not getting it

[@madhuagarwal3480]

Oh my god ...such a great explanation it's very useful for me thank you so much.... greetings from India 🇮🇳

[@_dave977]

I subscribed because of this video

[@leahmarcus5327]

You explain problems that have bugged me for years! Finally explained so it makes sense!! Mil gracias😁

[@calmontes651]

Brilliant! as a native Spanish speaker I watch your videos just to enjoy your outstanding teaching. I didn’t realize this was confusing, the model makes so much sense.

[@multitieredinvestor183]

Todavía no sé nada de español. Qué lástima! Y ya he lo estudiado por más de 45 años!

[@rancol23]

Awesome lesson! I can't believe that it took this long for me to come across this clear explanation on when to use todavia vs ya. Thanks!

[@mckoylach1622]

Great explanations and very elaborate of the two words similarities in the meanings,muchas gracias...

[@paradoxicallyexcellent5138]

I was disappointed to see this channel only had 1K subs. Hope it goes up as it deserves! As for me, I did my part :)

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the support!! :)

[@actionjackson9385]

It has 102K now 💪

[@ronross6912]

'Ya' and 'todavia' have confused me for quite a while. Now I understand the uses much better. Excellent lesson, Andrew!

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks Ron! 😃

[@stevecarp1904]

I've had nothing but problems with "ya" and "todavía" in my Spanish class, but this is the clearest explanation I have ever had and I think I finally understand the correct usage. Thank you!

[@elizw6806]

Andrew, wonderful video. Your emails and now your videos are super helpful and describe Spanish language situations better than any other resource I know. Thank you for understanding what we don't understand, and then explaining it for us. Great work!

[@stevepowell4417]

Hi Andrew thanks for video lesson really well executed and covers an area of Spanish I haven't seen before. Saludos Steve

[@ryuorkai]

Hi Andrew, thank you very much. This is clear and useful. Would you cover '"aún" and "'aun"

[@rgaylemich2244]

I also would love to see you cover aún. 🙏

[@CleonaPattersoneFluentEnglish]

Todavía no he visto muchos de tus vídeos, pero ya reconozco que eres un profesor tremendo, Andrew.👍Ya no tengo tantas dudas sobre el uso de todavía y ya, gracias.

[@realfastspanish]

¡Muy bien! Me alegro

[@stuartspinner2655]

Muchas gracias, nunca he entendido los usos distintos de estas palabras. Acabo de descubrir tu canál, y acabo de hacer un comentario en tu video sobre input comprensible. Esta regla es un buen ejemplo de algo que no he podido adquirir solo por leer y escuchar.

[@EllenKozisek]

Interesting analysis. I haven't had trouble with these, and didn't even realize how much we can't match them up with word for word translation to English. I suspect these English words are hard for 2nd language learners, and a similar analysis for English (by someone who does such things) would be interesting. As for the Spanish, I think I tend to think of "todavia no" and "ya no" as chunks. As in "ya no" means the same thing as "not yet". And these are definitely words where it's much better to learn what they mean rather than learn try to learn their translation. You can't really translate them, you have to translate the whole phrase or sentence.

[@jirivoros4941]

I've started learning spanish using english studying materials..at the start I got confused about possible meanings of ya/todavía and then I realised it uses the same logic as my mother tongue (czech) for its equivalents:) it made my day :) ..This video is a great explanation for english speakers by the way!

[@kristinamariekubcova2654]

Thank you! I was struggling with this even after the explanation and thanks to your comment, I realized that it's the same in Czech 😂

[@toddwheatley-dr-know3964]

Understanding the Spanish language will become a critical skill for future employment. To help provide the necessary education a link to this video has been included on the DR-KNOW .biz website --- index and keywords by INFORMATION SPECIALIST * Todd Wheatley *

[@OzyJK69BRs]

A native Spanish speaker watching how he explains the difference between 'ya' and 'todavía'; and how they're taught.

[@jessicamckinney3833]

Thank you so much for this explanation. I speak Spanish at an intermediate level "y mi Universidad todavía no nos ha enseñado esto". I don't know why, because I see ya on a daily basis. I thought ya and todavía only meant still. Gracias porque ahora sé como usarlo.

[@jamesfreese4700]

Very helpful video-ya and todavia are words I often hear!!!

[@ChiquitaReddick]

Could you please explain the difference and use of desde, desde que, desde hace que and hace, hace que. Need your help. Really confused.

[@laurielemmon2868]

This has been so helpful! I love all your videos and your way of teaching.

[@vodnurse5702]

Fuckin brilliant. Thanks! Helps a ton!

[@xian6831]

Summary: Todavía can also be categorized as a continuation/in process. Are you still doing it or is it something to be done but is not completed presently? Use todavía. If something has already been a fully completed, is already done/ended, or has passed- use ya

[@mckoylach1622]

Hola,como estas? Yo todavia estudio Espanol de KZbin,perro ya no he apprendino . Correct my broken Spanish please. Thanks

[@vidalmarca6350]

"Yo todavia estudio español de KZbin, pero todavia no he aprendido" "Yo estudio español de KZbin, pero todavia no he aprendido"

[@mckoylach1622]

@@vidalmarca6350 muchas gracias por tu ayudas

[@maivaka3863]

Oh - no wonder that I had no idea by now how to decide if I should use todavía or ya!

[@daydreamsinmusic3050]

Wow! So glad to see you on KZbin! I've been reading your blog for a few months now. It's one of my top sites for learning Spanish! Your lessons are so helpful and well done. Thank you! (of course I subscribed)

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for subscribing!! :)

[@roobear5357]

Esta es una buena explicación

[@vamoskhalili]

¿Podría agregar la traducción al árabe a sus videos? Por favor

[@johnharrison4156]

Wow - what an amazing video!!! Very, very useful. I've been struggling a lot with these two words and this helped a lot. Thank you!!!!

[@realfastspanish]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@viankatamarayonas6249]

Hi! I’m from Indonesia and I’m learning Spanish. Your channel has been so helpful to understand more about the words. What is the meaning of has, he? Can you explain more about those words? Or you already have the video explaining and i missed it. Thankyou!!

[@gerlautamr.656]

Those are conjugations ins of the verb "haber", which means "to have". (Yo) he. (Tú) has (Él/ella/usted) ha (Nosotros) hemos (Ustedes) han (Ellos) han

[@johnbutterlips4688]

OMG, for Engish-speakers, this is a tricky one.

[@suefleming3358]

¡Todavía aprendo tanto y esto ayuda! Muchas gracias!

[@realfastspanish]

¡De nada! :)

[@philsmith7398]

Mate, you're a genius at explaining! I've seen a few of your videos now and you either work very hard at it or you're gifted probably both! Thanks a lot.

[@Z_Victory_Z]

It’s actually a horrible explanation. The entire concept could’ve been expressed in 30 seconds by stating: Ya=already/anymore Todavía = still But a 30 second video wouldn’t garner him too much KZbin money, hence the absurd length and blabbering.

[@elvenacoesmarica]

@@Z_Victory_Z I imagine your Spanish is terrible. It is not that simple as you say. But of course if you want to speak like a gringo then your explanation is ok

[@two2young93]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@johnharvey5381]

Te lo agradezco, güey. Voy a suscribir.

[@dimwitsadvocate6264]

!Dios Mío! I'm going to quit learning Spanish! This is hard!! Wah! Wah! Ok, I'm kidding. I'll just have to watch this video 1000 times like the other 23 guys did. UPDATE: I made a screen capture of his chart while I watched the video a 2nd time. I understand it much better and now I need to practice to internalize it.

[@healthywealthyandwisetube641]

Very helpful. Gracias!

[@dipannitabiswas2635]

I really like your explanations. It makes the study much easier

[@jeffrosenbloom2373]

Andrew-super helpful. Question..I'm trying to figure out when to use "todavia" or "ya" to start a conversation. Am I oversimplifying if I use "todavia" when asking a question in the present and "ya" when asking a question in the past? Responses with Si and No are clear from your video!

[@Metasas]

I swear my Spanish improves leaps and bounds with every video I watch

[@markbardett4557]

Everything makes sense except knowing when your taking in the past when worded in the present !! Cant think of getting passed that One !!

[@pbtube58]

Nobody would be able to follow that logic. Here is how it really works: Todavía: expresses the idea that someone or something is in the same state that he or it was in some time ago. Ya: expresses the idea that someone or something is not in the same state he or it was in some time ago. Many languages have a direct translation: Japanese: Todavía (mada); Ya (mō) Polish: Todavía (jescze); Ya (już) In English it can be messy, but use: Use Todavia for ‘still’. Use Ya for ‘already’. For other English words (for example, ‘yet’, ‘now, ‘anymore’), see if you can express the idea with ‘still’ or ‘already’. Those English words follow a different logic. For example, “yet” can be either still (todavia) or already (ya).

[@markmontes1795]

Dude, you fn rock

[@gatotontoo]

muchísimas gracias 😄 este fue muy útil para mi

[@AMcDub0708]

Oh my goodness the glasses skit was hilarious!! 🤣

[@kraken5690]

Todavia no aprendes español? Si, ya aprendi español

[@Muhahahahaz]

Ya entiendo cómo usar “ya” y “todavía” ahora! La palabra “ya” siempre tiene que ver con un cambio de hechos, mientras la palabra “todavía” significa que nada ha cambiado

[@JuanDorrego-w8p]

You missed the third actor : Aún ¿Estás preparado para salir? Aún no estoy preparado, todavía me estoy vistiendo.

[@robertventer2956]

I love your videos but I find this one can be much more simple for your learners: Use Todavia for ‘still’ and ‘yet’. Use Ya for ‘now, ‘already’, and ‘anymore’. Always works

[@realfastspanish]

Thanks for the feedback Robert! But it doesn’t always work, this is part of the challenge. I gave examples at the start of the video to show this (e.g. “have you eaten yet? -> ya” and “if you haven’t already done so… -> todavía”)

[@robertventer2956]

@@realfastspanish true, but “have you eaten yet” really expresses the idea of “already” as in “have you already eaten”. And “if you haven’t already done so” expresses the idea of “if you haven’t eaten yet”. When I think of it like this I always choose the correct Spanish word

[@robertventer2956]

Maybe better said: Todavia always holds this idea of “not yet completed”. Ya always holds 1 of 2 ideas “already completed” and “now”. In your examples above, It’s English (not Spanish) that swaps the meanings a little by saying “have you eaten yet” when we really want to know if the eating is ‘already’ completed, and “if you haven’t already done so” when we really want to emphasize that the task is not yet completed

[@pbtube58]

@@realfastspanish Great point. I would rephrase the rule to the following: Use Todavia for ‘still’. Use Ya for ‘already’. For other English words (for example, ‘yet’, ‘now, ‘anymore’), see if you can express the idea with ‘still’ or ‘already’. Those English words follow a different logic. For example, “yet” can be either still (todavia) or already (ya).

[@oxydelrosario]

¡Ya me he suscrito!😊👌🏽

[@realfastspanish]

Gracias 🙏

[@hecatedoe8135]

That chart will be super helpful in knowing when to use ya and when to use todavia .However it would really help me a lot to understand the logic behind this. According to the chart, You use 1 word with present tense positive and past tense negative, and the other word with present tense negative and past tense positive. This just seem so arbitrary and doesn't make sense to me but I assume there is a logical reason it's done that way. Any clarification?

[@realfastspanish]

Rather than trying to find translations and exceptions for every form of "ya" and "todavía", this chart presents the options in a simple way. So the logic is trying to make it as simple as possible.

[@pbtube58]

Here is the logic behind it: Todavía: expresses the idea that someone or something is in the same state that he or it was in some time ago. Ya: expresses the idea that someone or something is not in the same state he or it was in some time ago. Many languages have a direct translation: Japanese: Todavía (mada); Ya (mō) Polish: Todavía (jescze); Ya (już) In English it can be messy, but use: Use Todavia for ‘still’. Use Ya for ‘already’. For other English words (for example, ‘yet’, ‘now, ‘anymore’), see if you can express the idea with ‘still’ or ‘already’. Those English words follow a different logic. For example, “yet” can be either still (todavia) or already (ya).

[@robertflint2549]

Oye Andrew, no me gustan mucho estas dos palabras. Ya voy en camino...

[@Z_Victory_Z]

Abysmal and unnecessarily complicated explanation. It’s very simple: Ya=already/anymore Todavía = still

[@NYlivinginTN]

From GPT: In Spanish, "ya" and "todavía" are both used to express different aspects of time and completion of actions. Here are the differences: ### Ya - **Meaning**: "Already" or "now". - **Usage**: Indicates that something has happened or a state has been reached. - **Examples**: - "Ya terminé mi tarea." (I already finished my homework.) - "Ya es hora de irnos." (It's time to go now.) ### Todavía - **Meaning**: "Still" or "yet". - **Usage**: Indicates that an action or state is continuing up to the present time or hasn't happened yet. - **Examples**: - "Todavía estoy trabajando." (I am still working.) - "Todavía no ha llegado." (He/she hasn't arrived yet.) ### Key Differences - "Ya" often implies completion or a change in status, while "todavía" suggests continuity or an action/state that is ongoing or not yet completed. - They can sometimes be used in similar contexts but convey different nuances. For example: - "Ya no fumo." (I no longer smoke.) - "Todavía no fumo." (I still don't smoke.) Understanding these nuances helps in choosing the correct word based on the context and what you want to convey.

[@hotSdude]

Great video. I have taken a picture of the four quadrant chart to keep as my reference on the go until I no longer need it. Thank you.

[@dimwitsadvocate6264]

I did the same, Salam. Or, "Ya hice lo mismo." (I think - ha ha!)

[@JSwagJayhawk]

Sometimes I catch myself saying ya for the present positive just because my English is being imposed in Spanish

[@Rachel-dt7yt]

No Longer is always 'ya no'. 'Ya.' As a response has a feeling like DONE. It can be said strongly like that. This is easy to distinguish for Ya. 'Not anymore' is a strong 'DONE'.

[@Josh1billion]

Perhaps it could be said that a reasonable approximation of "ya" is English's "at this point." Captures a similar kind of nuance.

[@martinaavalos6825]

You say: ¿Todavía vives en Lima? And you answer: Si, todavía vivo en Lima. What I respond: Si, aún vivo en Lima. (Aún=Todavía). But in negative I say: No, ya no vivo en Lima. Clarification: All are correct, just in spanish, (if we can), try to not repeat the words. To me, "Ya" means: "just right now", or "in this moment"; and "Todavía/Aún" means something to origin in the past, but still present at this moment. Sorry if my english has errors.

[@pbtube58]

This video shows a lot of examples, but does not really explain the main concept. Using the table that he shows could be misleading. For example, “En 1999 todavía eran vegetarianos” [In 1999, they still were vegetarians] would be an example of positive in the past, which the table claims for “ya”. Here is how it really works: Todavía: expresses the idea that someone or something is in the same state that he or it was in some time ago. Ya: expresses the idea that someone or something is not in the same state he or it was in some time ago. Many languages have a direct translation: Japanese: Todavía (mada); Ya (mō) Polish: Todavía (jescze); Ya (już) In English it can be messy, but use: Use Todavia for ‘still’. Use Ya for ‘already’. For other English words (for example, ‘yet’, ‘now, ‘anymore’), see if you can express the idea with ‘still’ or ‘already’. For instance, the example given in the video: “have you eaten yet” really expresses the idea of “already” as in “have you already eaten”.

[@RUT812]

Basically whatever word is used when the question is asked, you use the same word to affirm but the other word to negate. Now, what about the word aún? And are you speaking Spanish from Spain? Ny husband is from Nicaragua, we lived in Costa Rica for 8 years, & the word for eyeglasses is anteojos. I’m watching your channel to brush up on my Spanish for our move to Mexico.

[@JustMe-to8te]

There are other situations where we say "ya" and it doesn't require a question. For example we would say : Ya me cansé de esperarla, meaning; I'm tired of waiting for her. In Perú is very common to say "Ya pues" in cases like asking for something, like in : c'mon help me, a peruvian would say: ya pues, ayúdame.. It's also to agree to something., like : I'll see you later then. The answer would be: ya pues

[@Alice_Bedlam]

Great video! Tengo una pregunta. Why were you using the conjugated form of haber for location instead of the conjugated form of estar?

[@NoaNoir]

Sounds like Ya just means that whatever you're talking about is complete. Ya lo hice.

[@jai-vq8dq]

Hi! How can I improve my Spanish listening and speaking skills?

[@alliseburris3625]

Very helpful. Dictionaries give no clue.

[@markyb4682]

Andrew that’s fab - I’ve read a few articles which have only made this more confusing, but this is the first time it’s almost made logical sense 😅 thanks

[@JonHarrison-hv4mo]

I'm still a beginner, but after that very clear explanation it seems there could be a simple rule: forget about "yet", if the sentence in English kind of makes sense with "already" then it's ya, if it kind of makes sense with "still" then it's todavia?

[@CSenn_]

I love you, but OMG, my brain hurts on the present that’s really past. …But you did the best anyone possibly could.

[@joscha79]

I was told by a native speaker to think of ya as meaning "right now" and todavía as "still ongoing" when thinking about how you would ask in Spanish. I know it doesn't sound that great in English, tho it helped me understand. Are you still ongoing at your job. No. I am right now not at that job; or yes I am still ongoing at the job. :)

[@angelicacuevaguarniz]

Me puse a buscar clases de inglés y terminé en este video XD Me dió curiosidad de ver cómo enseñan el español xd I'm from Perú 👀 Good luck and good vídeo xddddd

[@lisajindrich8431]

Your knowledge base and ability to discuss memory and language acquisition are impressive. Gracias

[@brittybee6615]

I come over here for Spanish grammar and find out I don’t even understand English grammar 😒😂

[@johnstroughair1972]

Really great video. This is a nice way to think about the differences. I have one question: how does “aun” fit in the mix, it often seems to mean even but sometimes seems to get used where I would have expected “ya”

[@shenava]

I am a fairly new learner, about 2 months at time of writing. I really find your videos easy to follow but, is it just me that finds a lot of these grammatical rules unnecessarily complicated?

[@richardpaley5993]

The video explains how to answer questions but not how to ask them. Is ya used in affirmative questions about the past and negative about the present and vice versa for todavía?

[@kristenp5835]

I love the way you explain things!

[@timothyedwardthomas7825]

"Ya no fumamos" Referring that we used to smoke in the past but we don't smoke anymore

[@confidentwreck]

Great video! I could be wrong but it sounds like if the question uses either ya or todavia, the a positive reply uses the same word and a negative uses the other?

[@misstango1001]

Love your explanations. All useful.

[@apejoves]

'Ya' can mean "OK" in peruvian spanish. It's used a lot.

[@haigyoosefian1330]

By watching just a few videos of you teaching Spanish language, I found it the best useful one in similar KZbin channels. Honestly I was trying to learn Spanish by ordering expensive courses, but once I found your’s , I have to put them aside and continue with this one

[@thisguyindenver1350]

I got a few minutes in and notice how he repeats and repeats everything said in Spanish. Ouch.

[@machinegunk5090]

Can you put the ya or the todavía at the end of the sentence? This helps for the negative sentences as you are translating yet and any longer.

[@johnsaber2252]

To me , it appears that “ya” is kind of a completed situation and todavia is a continuing situation

[@throughthegrace7893]

I loved the acting in this. It was funny.

[@sethfeingold]

Would you be able to make a video that throws “aun” into the mix? ❤

[@MaryLynneAshley]

This is extremely helpful. I've been driving myself crazy trying to understand ya!

[@niteshpal9428]

puede decir, si ya ha suscrito entonces gusta este video?

[@jasmineyassi7904]

extremely helpful; Gracias🍀

[@Benvenjtos]

Ya pasó el temblor , ya cállate y arranca el carro, ya te atrapé