todavía
Lemma Details
Translation: still; yet; nevertheless
Part of Speech: adverb
Etymology: Derived from the Old Spanish 'toda vía' meaning 'all the way' or 'by all means'. It comes from Latin 'tota via' where 'tota' means 'all' (feminine form of 'totus') and 'via' means 'way' or 'road'. The evolution shows how a spatial concept ('all the way') transformed into a temporal one ('still', 'yet'). English 'via' shares the same Latin root.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'toda' (all) + 'vía' (way) = 'all the way' through time = 'still continuing'
- Remember 'vía' as in 'via' in English (by way of) to connect to the idea of continuing along a path
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Used frequently in everyday Spanish conversation. The word is essential for expressing continuity of actions or states, as well as for making contrasts between expectations and reality.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'todavía' and 'aún' are often interchangeable meaning 'still' or 'yet', 'aún' can also mean 'even' in certain contexts, which 'todavía' cannot. 'Aún' is sometimes considered slightly more formal.
This word:
Todavía no he comido.
I haven't eaten yet.
Notes: In many contexts, these words are completely interchangeable, especially when meaning 'still' or 'yet'.
Mnemonic: 'Aún' is shorter and can mean 'even', while 'todavía' is longer and sticks to meaning 'still/yet'.
Explanation: 'Todavía' indicates something is continuing or hasn't happened yet, while 'ya' indicates something has already happened or changed.
Confused word:
Ya está despierto.
He is already awake.
Notes: These words often appear in questions and answers: '¿Todavía duerme?' (Is he still sleeping?) 'No, ya está despierto.' (No, he's already awake.)
Mnemonic: 'Ya' is short and quick like 'now' or 'already', while 'todavía' is longer like the continuing time it represents.