ja
word
/ˈjɑ/
yah
/jˈɑː/
yah
Definition
A German word meaning “yes.” English speakers may see it in German phrases, songs, jokes, or conversations about the German language.
Usage & Nuances
This is not a standard English word, so it is usually used when quoting German or imitating a German accent or style. It is often paired with other German words, as in 'ja, natürlich'. Do not use it as a normal replacement for English 'yes' unless the context is clearly about German.
Spanish: sí (alemán)Portuguese (BR): sim (alemão)Portuguese (PT): sim (alemão)Chinese (Simplified): 是的（德语）Chinese (Traditional): 是的（德語）Hindi: हाँ (जर्मन में)Arabic: نعم (بالألمانية)Bengali: ja (জার্মান ভাষা)Russian: ja (немецкое «да»)Japanese: ja（ドイツ語の「はい」）Vietnamese: ja (tiếng Đức, nghĩa là "vâng")Korean: ja (독일어에서 '네')Turkish: ja (Almanca 'evet')Urdu: ja (جرمن میں 'ہاں')Indonesian: ja (dalam bahasa Jerman: 'ya')
Example Sentences
In German, ja means yes.
basic
He answered with a quick “ja.”
basic
She wrote “ja” on the board in class.
basic
He kept saying “ja, ja” like a cartoon German villain.
natural
I don’t speak German, but I know ja means yes.
natural
When the tour guide said “danke,” everyone nodded and replied, “ja.”
natural