ya meaning (informal): definition, etymology and quotations

ya

intj

/jɑː/

Etymology Apparently from German ja and cognates in other Germanic languages; related to English yeah.

Informal Yeah; yes.

ya

adv

UK /ˈjɑː/

Etymology From Middle English ya, from Old English ġēa, iā (“yea, yes”). More at yea.

Northern England, Scotland, UK, West Country, Dialectal yea; yes

'Ya, wilt thou!' said Wallace, 'then tak thee that, […]'1806, Jamieson, Pop. Ballads:
Ya, auld man, ye ken fine ye wad like me.1894, W. G. Stevenson, Puddin' iii.:

1 more example

Ya, bur 'ee did, […]1896, Ackworth, Clog Shop Chron.:

ya

noun

Etymology From Russian я (ja).

A letter of the Cyrillic alphabet: Я, я.

ya

particle

/jɑ/ · [jɑː˨˦]

Etymology From Malay ya, from Dutch ja (and ultimately Proto-Germanic *ja). Reinforced by informal variants of yes in English (e.g., yeah). Doublet of yes.

Manglish, Singlish Used to form a confirmation-seeking tag question, expecting an affirmative response.

What about yourself Mr Chee, never look a day older, you'll see the rest of us six feet under… Really you look very well. I heard you went for new treatment in Switzerland ya?…1983, Stella Kon, Emily of Emerald Hill, →ISBN, Act 1, page 21:

Related terms: is it, ah

ya

intj

Etymology Variation of hyah.

Informal Go. (Spoken to horses and cattle.)

ya

intj

Etymology From Malay ya, from Dutch ja (and ultimately Proto-Germanic *ja). Reinforced by informal variants of yes in English (e.g., yeah). Doublet of yes.

Malaysia, Singapore, Informal Yes, yeah (used to express affirmation)

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.