や (Ya) is a Japanese particle meaning “such things as ..., and ... and, the minute (that) ..., no sooner than ...”.

Meanings

  1. particlesuch things as ...; and ... andused for non-exhaustive lists related to a specific time and place
  2. particlethe minute (that) ...; no sooner than ...; as soon asafter the dictionary form of a verb
  3. copulabe; is
  4. interjectiono; ohpunctuational exclamation in haiku, renga, etc.
  5. interjectionhuh; whatinterjection expressing surprise
  6. interjectionhi

Examples

  • I'm not very good at swimming.

  • The leaves began to turn red and yellow.

  • A morning erection: Will it last only until I take a leak?

Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).