ya comí
/ʝa komi/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I already ate" is translated into Spanish as ya comí.
This phrase is a statement used to inform someone that you have already consumed a meal. It is commonly used as a polite way to decline an offer of food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ya (already) and comí (I ate).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Spain, the present perfect form ya he comido is more common than the preterite ya comí to express the idea of having already eaten.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word comí is the first-person singular preterite (past tense) form of the verb comer.
Did you know?
- While comer means 'to eat', in many regions it specifically refers to the midday meal, the largest of the day. Saying ya comí in the afternoon often implies you have specifically finished your lunch.
- The verb comer is used in the idiom comerse el mundo, which translates to 'devouring the world' and describes someone with great ambition.
- In certain contexts, the word ya is used to tell someone to hurry up, which is the complete opposite of its function in the phrase ya comí.
Examples in context
- No gracias, ya comí.No, thank you. I already ate.This sentence shows how to use ya comí to politely decline food.Tatoeba #5058128 by don_ramon, translation #5057521 by AlanF_US
- Ya comí.I already ate.This sentence is a simple way to state that you have already eaten using ya comí.Tatoeba #2969825 by Zaghawa, translation #1847831 by CK
- Gracias, pero ya comí.Thanks, but I already ate.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are deciding what to do for lunch.
- Sofía¿Quieres ir a comer algo, Daniel?Do you want to go eat something, Daniel?
- DanielNo gracias, yo ya comí.No thanks, I already ate.
- Sofía¿No tienes hambre?Aren't you hungry?
- DanielNo, estoy muy lleno.No, I am very full.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
