¿ya?

How it is used in Bolivia

A short tag at the end of a sentence, like 'all right?', that checks you agree or follow, not a real question about time. It is common all over Bolivia, from Santa Cruz to Sucre and the Andes, between friends and with usted alike: it seals a small plan out loud ('hablá con él, ¿ya?') or checks agreement among peers ('confirmemos en la ventanilla, ¿ya?').

It also follows a rule, a request, an offer or instructions: 'le hago un huevito, ¿ya?', 'tutéame nomás, ¿ya?'. Hosts in Sucre add it to check you agree, and in Sucre speech it is a soft tag at the end of a suggestion or plan that invites agreement without pressure. Answer 'ya', 'ya, gracias', 'sí' or «claro».

Teachers check understanding with a quick '¿ya?': answer honestly, 'ya' or 'sí' only if you really follow; otherwise 'todavía no' is welcome.