ja German · revision 34801

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=9th century|origins=gem-pro *ja}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * [jaː]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ja''' (particle; as a noun ''das Ja'', plural ''Ja'' or ''Jas'')^(Wiktionary)^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|jā]], [[inh|goh|jā]], [[inh|gem-pro|*ja|t=yes]].^(Kluge 2011|453)^(Wiktionary)^(Duden 7 2020) The same word is [[got|𐌾𐌰|tr=ja]], [[osx|ja]], [[ofs|je]], [[ang|ġēa]] and [[non|já]], the last with its initial /j/ irregularly kept, and today [[nl|ja]], [[sv|ja]] and [[en|yea]].^(Kluge 2011|453)^(Orel 2003) The English [[m|en|yes]] arose from its fusion with the old word for “so”.^(Kluge 2011|453)^(Duden 7 2020) Gothic also had an emphatic [[m|got|𐌾𐌰𐌹|tr=jai]].^(Paul 2002)^(DWB|10, 2187)

+

+ Its further origin is uncertain.^(Duden 7 2020)^(Wahrig Herkunftswörterbuch)^(Duden GWDS 1999) Kluge compares [[cy|ie]] and [[br|ya]], which are also used as answer particles though more narrowly, and [[la|iam|t=already]].^(Kluge 2011|453) He supposes a demonstrative pronoun stem [[ine-pro|*i-]], but leaves the details open.^(Kluge 2011|453)^(Paul 2002) Orel likewise takes it as a feminine form of a pronominal stem.^(Orel 2003) Wiktionary's Proto-Germanic page treats it as an expressive sound of agreement.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old High German ''jā'' is recorded from the 9th century, meaning “yes”, “truly, indeed”, “oh”, “and” and “now”.^(Kluge 2011|453)^(Köbler AHD) It was already used as an answer agreeing to a question.^(Paul 2002) A strengthened form with an inserted /r/, Middle High German ''jârâ'', is also recorded.^(DWB|10, 2187)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Luther uses it as the answer to a question: ''Herr / ja / Vnd gieng nicht hin'' (Matthew 21:30).^(Paul 2002) It is often doubled or tripled for emphasis.^(Paul 2002) Early New High German already had most of its modern uses as a particle: confirming, introducing a statement, pointing to what is known, adding a stronger term (“indeed, even”) and urging (“by all means”).^(FWB)

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+ The vowel may be short or long, long mostly in emphatic assent, and dialects use different vowels for different shades of meaning.^(DWB|10, 2187) The Grimms' dictionary reports five such vowels in East Frisian, from simple assent to insistence.^(DWB|10, 2187) The verb [[bejahen]], recorded from the early 17th century, first meant “to grant” and then, as the opposite of ''verneinen'', “to say yes”.^(Duden 7 2020) Adelung records the noun ''Ja'' for a consent, especially a woman's consent to marriage, and refers to [[Jawort]].^(Adelung 1793) [[Jasager]] “yes-man” dates from the 20th century.^(Duden 7 2020)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 9th century – Old High German ''jā'' is recorded.^(Kluge 2011|453)

+ * Early 17th century – ''bejahen'' “to grant” appears.^(Duden 7 2020)

+ * c. 1800 – Adelung records the noun ''Ja'' for consent to marriage.^(Adelung 1793)

+ * 20th century – ''Jasager'' appears.^(Duden 7 2020)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Particle===

+ # [[m|en|yes]]: gives an answer of agreement to a question: ''Kommst du mit? – Ja.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # With an adverb, strengthens agreement: ''ja gern'', ''o ja''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(stressed, after a question)'' Asks for agreement, “isn't it?”: ''Du rufst mich morgen an, ja?''^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(unstressed)'' Points to something known or obvious: ''Wir sind ja gleich da.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(unstressed)'' Expresses surprise or irony: really.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(unstressed)'' Adds a stronger term: indeed, even: ''Das ist schwierig, ja fast unmöglich.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(FWB)

+ # ''(stressed)'' Reinforces a command or warning: by all means, be sure to: ''Komm ja nicht zu spät!''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(colloquial, on its own)'' On the telephone, shows readiness to listen.^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A yes, an [[m|en|assent]]: ''Sie stimmte mit Ja.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

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+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bejahen]]

+ * [[Jawort]]

+ * [[Jasager]]

+ * [[jawohl]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|yea]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}