How to use Ya y Todavia in Spanish

In this lesson we will study the uses of two very important words in Spanish: YA and TODAVÍA. These words have different meanings used in the present or in the past. I chose this topic to cover today because it can be a very challenging topic, especially for new learners of the Spanish language.

HERE

ALREADY

The baby is already walking. (The baby is already walking). We use this idea when we expected something from someone that we know was going to do at any moment.

I’ll be back. (I’ll be right back). We use this phrase when we are going to do something soon, for example in a restaurant, the waiter could say: I already brought you the bill. (I’ll bring you the check in a moment.

I no longer drink alcohol. (I no longer drink alcohol). We use it when we used to do something and stopped doing it.

YET

The baby still does not speak. (The baby still does not speak). We use this idea when we expect something from someone that we know is going to do at any moment.

I still live with my parents. (I still live with my parents). We can use this form when something we used to do in our lives might have changed, but we continue to do it the same way.

PAST (past perfect, past simple or pluperfect)

ALREADY

I do not wanna dinner. I’ve already had dinner. Thanks. (I don’t want dinner. I already had dinner. Thank you).
In this context, we have already done something in the past.

When Juan got home, I had already showered. (When Juan got home, I had already showered). In this example, I had already showered before Juan got home. It is the “past before the past.”

YET

I am hungry. I haven’t had dinner yet. (I’m hungry. I haven’t had dinner yet). In this context, I have not yet done something on my list of plans, but I plan to do it.

When Juan got home, I still hadn’t prepared the food. (When Juan got home I still hadn’t prepared the food).

PAST IMPERFECT

ALREADY

At age 20 I already had my first child. (At 20 I already had my first child). This is a real situation that was the same at a time in the past.

YET

When I met you I was still living with my ex-girlfriend. (When I met you I was still living with my ex-girlfriend). This is something that has changed in the present, but happened at the same time as another event in the past.

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