The terms “já” and “ainda” don’t have a single translation into English and other languages. The translation of these words varies a lot depending on the context. That’s why it’s important to understand how to use them in different situations.
In this lesson, we’re going to study the most common uses of the words “já” and “ainda” in Brazilian Portuguese.
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How to use the word “já”
1. The word “já” is used to indicate a completed action. It’s similar to the use of the word “already” in English.
For example:
João já fez seu dever de casa. (João has already done his homework.)
Maria já almoçou. (Maria has already had lunch.)
Eu já li este livro. (I’ve already read this book.)
2. The word “já” is used to ask questions about the past. In this case, it’s similar to questions like “have you ever done this?” or “have you done this yet?” in English.
For example:
Pedro já voltou do trabalho? (Has Pedro come back from work yet?)
Você já leu este livro? (Have you read this book yet?)
Você já foi ao Brasil? (Have you ever been to Brazil?)
3. The word “já” is also used to refer to something that will be done or will happen soon.
For example:
Maria já está chegando. (Maria is about to arrive.)
Eu vou ao mercado e já volto. (I’m going to the market and will be right back.)
Até já! (See you soon!)
4. The word “já” can also indicate an action that must be done immediately, now, urgently.
For example:
O chefe quer o relatório para já! (The boss wants the report right now!)
Vá já para o seu quarto! (Go to your room right now!)
Estou atrasada. Preciso sair já! (I’m late. I need to leave right now!)
5. When we say the word “já” twice, “já, já,” we mean very soon, in a little while. It’s a more informal use.
For example:
O almoço vai ficar pronto já, já! (Lunch will be ready very soon!)
Já, já eu vou sair. (I’m going to leave very soon.)
Já, já o João chega. (João will arrive very soon.)
6. The word “já” can also be used with the meaning of “on the other hand.”
For example:
Ana gosta de festas, já a Maria prefere ficar em casa. (Ana likes parties, but Maria prefers to stay home.)
Aprender italiano não é tão difícil, já alemão é um desafio. (Learning Italian isn’t so difficult; German, on the other hand, is a challenge.)
7. The expression “já que” is used as a conjunction, similar to the use of the word “since” in English.
For example:
Já que você vai ao mercado, poderia trazer algo para mim? (Since you’re going to the market, could you bring something for me?)
Já que vai chover, vamos ficar em casa. (Since it’s going to rain, let’s stay home.)
8. The expression “já não” indicates a change. It’s equivalent to “not anymore” or “no longer” in English.
For example:
Morei em São Paulo por muitos anos, mas já não moro mais lá. (I lived in São Paulo for many years, but I don’t live there anymore.)
Ana e Luiza já não são mais amigas como antes. (Ana and Luiza are no longer friends like before.)
This is the only context in which we use the word “já” in negative sentences. Notice that in all the other examples, the word “já” is always used in affirmative sentences.
How to use the word “ainda”
1. The word “ainda” is used to indicate continuity. It means “up to a certain moment” in the present, past, or future. It’s similar to the use of the word “still” in English.
For example:
O bebê ainda está dormindo. (The baby is still sleeping.)
Quando Maria chegar, ainda estarei aqui. (When Maria arrives, I’ll still be here.)
Em 2010, eu ainda morava no Brasil. (In 2010, I was still living in Brazil.)
2. The phrase “ainda não” is used to indicate an action that has not been completed. It’s similar to the use of the phrase “not yet” in English.
For example:
Carla ainda não chegou. (Carla hasn’t arrived yet.)
Pedrinho ainda não terminou o dever de casa. (Pedrinho hasn’t finished his homework yet.)
3. We also use the word “ainda” for emphasis when we make comparisons. In this case, it’s similar to the use of the word “even” in English.
For example:
Este restaurante é ainda melhor que o outro. (This restaurant is even better than the other one.)
João é alto, mas seu irmão é ainda mais alto. (João is tall, but his brother is even taller.)
4. The word “ainda” is also used in the sense of “in addition.”
For example:
Ana trabalhou o dia inteiro e ainda teve energia para sair com os amigos. (Ana worked all day and still had energy to go out with her friends.)
Carlos comeu uma pizza grande e ainda pediu sobremesa. (Carlos ate a large pizza and even ordered dessert.)
5. The word “ainda” is also used to talk about hopes for the future, usually with the intention of offering comfort or encouragement.
For example:
Um dia ainda irei realizar esse sonho. (One day I will fulfill this dream.)
Não desista. Um dia você ainda será reconhecido pelo seu trabalho. (Don’t give up. One day you will be recognized for your work.)
6. The expression “ainda bem” means “fortunately,” usually expressing relief.
For example:
Ainda bem que vocês chegaram a tempo. (It’s a good thing you arrived on time.)
Ainda bem que você nos avisou. (I’m glad you let us know.)
How to answer questions with the words “já” or “ainda”
For example, how would you answer the question:
Você já foi ao Brasil? (Have you ever been to Brazil?)
There are many ways to answer this question. To answer in the affirmative, you could say:
Já. (Yes.)
Sim, já fui. (Yes, I have.)
Fui. (I have.)
Attention: When the question includes the word “já,” we don’t use the word “já” in a negative answer. In this case, we can say:
Não fui. (I haven’t.)
Nunca fui. (I’ve never been.)
Ainda não fui. (I haven’t been yet.)
Ainda não. (Not yet.)
And how would you answer the question:
Você ainda está no Brasil? (Are you still in Brazil?)
An affirmative answer would be:
Estou. (I am.)
Ainda estou. (I still am.)
Again, pay attention: When the question includes the word “ainda,” we don’t use the word “ainda” in a negative answer. In this case, we can say:
Não estou mais no Brasil. (I’m no longer in Brazil.)
Já não estou mais no Brasil. (I’m not in Brazil anymore.)
Note: Pay close attention to the order and position of the words in each sentence. Notice that the words “já” and “ainda” come before the word “não” and almost always before the verbs.
Free worksheet!
👉 This lesson comes with a free worksheet with the summary of the lesson, many examples in sentences, and exercises for you to practice. Click here to download your worksheet.
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