Ya vs. Todavía
Ya and todavía are two of the most useful little words in Spanish. They tell you whether something has happened already, has not happened yet, or is still continuing. They are short, common, and easy once you see the pairs.
Quick answer
- Ya = already: Ya comí.
- Todavía no = not yet: Todavía no he comido.
- Todavía = still: Todavía vivo aquí.
Ya: already, now
Use ya for something that has already happened or happens now. It can also mean “right now” or “anymore” when combined with no.
Examples
- Ya terminé la tarea.I already finished the homework.Already.
- Ya son las ocho.It is already eight o’clock.Already.
- Ya no vivo en Lima.I do not live in Lima anymore.Ya no = no longer.
- ¡Ya voy!I’m coming!Right now.
Todavía no and aún no: not yet
To say that something has not happened, use todavía no or aún no. They mean the same. Aún is a bit more formal.
Examples
- Todavía no he comido.I have not eaten yet.Not yet.
- Aún no sé la respuesta.I do not know the answer yet.Aún no.
- ¿Ya llegó Ana? — Todavía no.Has Ana arrived? — Not yet.Short answer.
Todavía: still
Use todavía (or aún) without no to say that something is still going on.
Examples
- Todavía llueve.It is still raining.Still.
- Mi abuelo todavía trabaja.My grandfather still works.Still.
- ¿Todavía tienes mi libro?Do you still have my book?Question.
Ya and todavía as a pair
These words often come in pairs: ¿Ya terminaste? — Todavía no. and Ya no trabajo allí. — ¿Todavía vives en la ciudad? Notice that ya no is “no longer” and todavía no is “not yet.”
Examples
- ¿Ya terminaste? — No, todavía no.Did you finish? — No, not yet.Pair.
- Ya no fumo.I do not smoke anymore.Ya no.
- Todavía no fumo.I do not smoke yet.Rare, but grammatical.
Spanish around the world
- In Mexico, todavía is very common and aún is mostly written. In Spain, aún is also used in speech. In Latin America, ya is often used in places where English would use a gentle “okay” or “enough,” like ¡Ya!.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Ya no he comido.
Correct: Todavía no he comido.
Not yet is todavía no. Ya no means no longer.
Incorrect: Todavía terminé.
Correct: Ya terminé.
Todavía means still, not already.
Incorrect: Yo no vivo todavía allí.
Correct: Todavía no vivo allí.
Todavía no goes before the verb.
Incorrect: Aun no sé.
Correct: Aún no sé.
Aún (still) has an accent. Aun without an accent means even.
Remember the pairs
- Ya = already. Ya no = no longer.
- Todavía no = not yet. Todavía = still.
- Aún means still and is more formal. Aun without an accent means even.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between aún and aun?
Aún with an accent means still or yet. Aun without an accent means even.
Can ya mean ‘now’?
Yes. Ya voy means “I’m coming now,” and ¡Ya! can mean “enough!”
How do I say ‘not yet’?
Todavía no or aún no.
Where do ya and todavía go in a sentence?
Usually before the verb: Ya comí. Todavía trabajo.
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