Latvian

Particle

jā

1. used to express, reinforce agreement or confirmation, especially in response to a question; yes

   “Vai tu brauksi slēpot?” “Jā”.‎ ― “Are you going skiing?” “Yes.”

   “Vai jūs esat no Rīgas?” “Jā, no Rīgas.” — “are you from Riga?” “Yes, from Riga.”

   “Vai tev ir drusku laika?” viņš jautāja. “Jā”, Mirdza atbildēja.‎ ― “Do you have a little time?” he asked. “Yes,” Mirdza answered

   “Ieva ļoti jauka...” “Jā,” Jorens piekrīt‎ ― “Ieva (is) very nice...” “Yes,” Jorens agreed

   “Cik stipri smaržo šīs puķes...” “Jā, smaržo...” — “how Htrongly these flowers smell...” “Yes, they do...”

   Ira apmierināta klausās. Jā, tā ir īsta pasaka.‎ ― Ira listened, satisfied. Yes, this is a true fairy tale.

   Jā, te kalnos bija sava dzīve, savas paražas, sava morāle‎ ― Yes, here in the mountains (they have) their own life, their own habits, their own morality

2. used in a question to invite confirmation, like an English tag question; yes? right?

   “Nu viss pagalam, Birkenbaum? Jā?” “Laikam”, puisis atbildēja‎ ― “Well, it's all bygones, Birkenbaum? Right?” “Maybe,” the young man answered

   “Te jūs dzīvojat, bet otrā pusē Kaspartēvs, jā?” Ieva jautā. “Un Kasparmāte,”, zēns precizē‎ ― “Here you all live, and on the other side father Kaspar, right?” “And also mother Kaspar,” the young man stated

3. used to react to a call; yes?

   “Marina!” “Jā.” “Nāc!” — “Marina!” “Yes.” “Come (here)!”

   “Jāni!” “Jā, es tepat esmu!” — “Jānis!” “Yes, I'm right here

   “Joren”, Ieva pasauc. “Jā?” “Nekas; es tikai gribēju paskatīties uz tevi” — “Joren,” Ieva called. “Yes?” “Nothing; I just wanted to look at you”

4. used as a noun, generally with teikt or sacīt, to indicate a positive answer to a proposal

   “Skaties, kas par jaukumu visapkārt, un šitādā laikā tu par precēšanos vari domāt!” “Mīļo Lienīte, sāki nu “jā”, saki nu “jā”!” — “Look, all this beauty around us, and at such a moment you can still think about marriage!” “Dear Lienīte, say yes, say yes!”

   “Zini, ja tā lieta, par kuru tu vienmēr sapņo un stāsti, iznāktu tāda, tad es teiktu - jā.” — “You know, if that thing that you're always talking and dreaming about were to happen like that, then I would say - yes.”

Antonyms

• nē

References

1. ↑ Karulis, Konstantīns (1992), “jā”, in Latviešu Etimoloģijas Vārdnīca (in Latvian), Rīga: AVOTS, ISBN 9984-700-12-7