ya comí
/ʝa komi/from spelling rules
In Spanish, ya comí is the phrase used to say "I ate".
This phrase is a statement used to convey that you have already consumed a meal. While comí on its own means "I ate", adding ya is the standard way to emphasize that the action is finished and you are no longer hungry.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of ya, meaning "already" and comí, which is the first-person singular past tense of the verb comer (to eat).
Which one should you use?
You can use more specific verbs if you want to specify which meal you have eaten. Use ya almorcé to say "I already had lunch" and ya cené to say "I already had dinner".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the preterite tense, which is used to describe completed actions in the past.
Did you know?
- The verb comer is also used in Spanish to describe a person 'eating up' or 'consuming' resources, such as 'comer dinero', which means to waste or spend money.
- The word ya shares a common ancestor with the French word déjà and the Italian word già, all of which trace back to the same Latin root iam.
- In some regions, using ya comí when you actually have not eaten can be a way to avoid the social obligation of a long meal when you are in a hurry.
Examples in context
- Ya comí, así que no tengo hambre.I already ate, so I am not hungry.
- No te preocupes, ya comí en casa.Don't worry, I already ate at home.
- Gracias, pero ya comí hace un rato.Thanks, but I already ate a little while ago.
Example conversation
Mateo offers María some food in the kitchen.
- Mateo¿Quieres un sándwich, María?Do you want a sandwich, María?
- MaríaNo, gracias, ya comí.No, thank you, I already ate.
- Mateo¿De verdad? Yo tengo mucha hambre.Really? I am very hungry.
- MaríaEntonces prepárate algo, Mateo.Then make yourself something, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
