Definition – Ya estuvo is a casual, Mexican expression that can be used to ask people to stop doing something, to make negative or positive assumptions and to ask if a task has been completed. Depending on the context, ‘ya estuvo’ can be translated as ‘for sure’, ‘is it done?’, ‘is it ready?’, ‘enough’ and ‘that’s enough’.
What does ‘Ya Estuvo’ mean?
- Translation #1: It means ‘enough’, ‘that’s enough’, ‘I’m done’ or ‘that’s it’ when asking someone to stop doing something.
- Translation #2: It can also be translated as ‘is it finished?’ or ‘is it ready?’.
- Translation #3: When making assumptions it’s closer in meaning to ‘for sure’ or ‘certainly’.
How and When to use ‘Ya Estuvo’?
- To ask someone to stop doing something. One of the most popular ways to use ‘ya estuvo’ is to ask someone to stop doing something. Usually, this phrase is applied when a person is bugging you or behaving badly. It means ‘enough’ or ‘that’s enough’.
- As a synonym of ‘is it done?’ or ‘is it ready?’. In this context, ‘ya estuvo’ is used to ask if a task or activity has been done. Additionally, it can also be used to express that an object has been fixed or you finished using it.
- To make assumptions. Mexican speakers also use ‘ya estuvo’ as a way to express positive or negative assumptions that may be the result of a situation. In this context, this expression is closer in meaning to ‘for sure’, ‘surely’ or ‘certainly’.
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Examples on How to Use ‘Ya Estuvo’
Here are some real-life examples so you can see how to apply ‘ya estuvo’ in your conversations.
To ask someone to stop doing something
In this situation, ‘ya estuvo’ implies frustration or exasperation about someone’s actions or behavior
¡Ya estuvo con tus tonterías! ¡Aplácate!
Enough of your nonsense! Cut it out!
¡Niños! Ya estuvo con sus peleas, estoy harta
Kids! That’s enough of your bickering, I’m sick of it
¡A ver! Ya estuvo, ¿no? Callénse y déjenos ver la película
Okay! That’s enough! Shut up and let us watch the movie
Take Note: You can use ‘ya estuvo’ to ask people to stop doing something. But if you want to be more specific and mention the activity you want them to stop doing, you need to add the preposition ‘con’.
Related Resource: Expressing Frustration in Spanish
As a synonym of ‘is it done?’ or ‘is it ready’
Les pedí que lavaran la ropa, ¿ya estuvo?
I asked you to do the laundry, is it done?
Qué onda, carnal, ¿ya estuvo mi carro?
What’s up, bro, is my car ready?
¡Frank! ¡Ya estuvo tu computadora! ¡Vámonos!
Frank! I’m done with your computer! Let’s go!
To make negative or positive assumptions
As a synonym of ‘for sure’, ‘surely’ or ‘certainly’, ya estuvo is used to make assumptions about the consequences or results of an event or action. Depending on the context, these assumptions are made as a complaint. Here is the phrase structure that you need to follow:
Ya estuvo que + [verb in past preterite]
¡Ya vámonos! Ya estuvo que Alan no llegó
Let’s go! Alan is for sure not coming
No contesté cinco preguntas del examen, ya estuvo que reprobé
I didn’t answer five questions from the test, I surely failed
¿Y Lisa? ¿Todavía no está lista? Mmm, ¡ya estuvo que llegamos tarde!
And Lisa? She’s not ready yet? We are going to be late for sure!
Take Note: Ya estuvo is an expression, as a result, you don’t need to conjugate or change the verb ‘estar’. You can also use the verb ‘ir’ to make assumptions about the future:
¡Ya estuvo que no vamos a ir a México este año!
We’re not going to Mexico this year for sure
Who Can You Use ‘Ya Estuvo’ With?
This expression is widely popular among all Mexican Spanish speakers. However, it’s mainly used in informal situations.
Other Ways to Say ‘Ya Estuvo’
Here are other synonyms that you can use to replace ‘ya estuvo’ when needed.
- Ya estuvo bueno / Ya estuvo suave → It’s a Mexican expression that means ‘enough’ or ‘that’s enough’.
- ¡Ya! → It also means ‘enough’.
- Basta → It’s the direct translation of ‘enough’.
- Seguro → It can be used to make assumptions. It’s the standard translation for ‘surely’, ‘certainly’ or ‘for sure’.
- ¿Está listo? → It’s the direct translation of ‘is it ready?’.
Related Resource: How to Use ‘Estar’ in Spanish