Are you thinking of the best way to respond when someone tells you, “Ya tu sabe”? It is a Spanish phrase that means “you already know” or “you know” when translated into English.
The best response you’d want to give to this remark will depend on the context because Spanish speakers use ‘ya tu sabe’ to convey different expressions. The tone of the voice and body language also plays a role in the interpretation.
In most situations, a person would use “ya tu sabes” in a matter-of-fact tone for which a straightforward response such as “Sure thing, I understand” would be more appropriate.
However, if the person uses “ya tu sabes” in a sarcastic context, you can respond with a snarky reply such as “Is that so?”
Despite being a general knowledge that “Ya sabes” literally means “You know,” it can be used and interpreted in so many ways, depending on the sense you want to give it.
So let’s first look at all the most common meanings and situations where someone would use “Ya tu sabes.”
“Ya tu sabes” meaning in English
You can use the Spanish expression, “Ya tu sabes,” to remind someone that they’re aware of something, which is then interpreted as “you already know” or used to verify if someone understands what is being talked about. The latter situation is best interpreted as “you know what I mean.”
But in most conversation scenarios, Spanish speakers say “Ya tu sabes” to imply that you understand the essence of what is being said, even if they don’t spell out all the details.
For example, they can tell you: “A saqué a bailar… ya tu sabes!” which means “I took her out to dance… you already know it goes!”
With this in mind, it makes sense why Spanish speakers use this phrase when conversing between friends or family members or giving directions to someone familiar with the route.
It is also commonly used when discussing plans in a group setting or even when making sarcastic comments that they believe listeners should get the catch.
It is not enough to nod when someone says, “Ya tu sabes.” Here are some of the best appropriate responses I recommend you use:
16 correct replies to “Ya tu sabes.”
“Yes, I know.”
The most common way you can reply to the Spanish expression, “Ya tu sabes,” is to say, “yes, I know,” because you are confirming that you understand the gist of what they are talking about without requiring them to go into details.
“Ya tu sabes” means “you already know,” so you can respond with “yes, I know” to keep the conversation going.
Statement: Ya tu sabes
Your response: Yes, I know. So what happened next?
Alternatively, you can use “got it,” especially when they say Ya tu sabes repeatedly within the conversation.
“Oh, okay”
Another appropriate response you can use when replying to Ya tu sabes is to say a simple “Oh, Okay” it means you have just gotten the light bulb moment on what they are discussing, and there won’t be any need for them to dilate.
“Oh” in the phrase evokes spontaneity, convincing the person that you already know what they are talking about.
Statement: Ya tu sabes
Your response: Oh, Okay. I understand you now, man.
“Right, I’m familiar.”
This response is best used when the person uses Ya tu sabes while trying to describe something to you. Eg. A route, plan, narrative, or task.
I’ve spent enough time with Spanish speakers to know that the “Ya tu sabes” phrase is mainly used to confirm if you’re familiar with a place they describe.
Statement: Ya tu sabes
Your response: Right, I’m familiar. I know that area well. Thanks.
“Really?”
I use “really?” to reply to Ya tu sabes when I suspect that the person is making a sarcastic comment.
Statement: I’m the most brilliant guy in that department, Ya tu sabes
Your response: Really? Is that so?
The response helps stretch out the conversation and makes the person more serious about the conversation if they were, by any chance, making jokes.
“Exactly, I’m with you.”
When people use Ya tu sabes, they want to believe you understand what they are explaining.
One of the most appropriate responses is to help them confirm that you follow. By saying “Exactly,” it means you agree with the understanding of that context, and “I’m with you” implies that you get the gist and are not confused.
Statement: Ya tu sabes
Your response: Exactly, I’m with you
“Sure thing, I understand.”
“sure thing, I understand” is another appropriate way to reply when someone says Ya tu sabes.
It is best used when someone makes an assertion and ends the statement with “you already know.”
You can use this reply to confirm that you have connected the dots and comprehended the information. However, it would help if you considered the context before using this reply.
“Of course, I’m aware.”
You can also say, “of course, I’m aware,” when a Spanish speaker says, “Ya tu sabes.”
“Of course” is a phrase that expresses the certainty of something. Adding “I’m aware” means you understand the line of discussion and saves the other person the hassle of explaining from the bottom.
Statement: Ya tu sabes
Your response: Of course, I’m aware. I know, right.
“That’s right, I’ve got it.”
“that’s right” means the person has just said something correctly.
For example, if they have an opinion on the best baseball team and say, “Navarra is the best baseball team, Ya tu sabes,” you can reply with, “yes, that’s correct.”
It is best used when you agree with the person’s assertion while maintaining the conversation’s position.
Statement: Ya tu sabes
Your response: That’s right. I’ve got it.
“No problem, I’m following.”
When someone says “Ya tu sabes” to confirm if you understand their description or line of expression, responding with “No problem, I’m following” is the best appropriate response.
Here, “no problem” means you aren’t having difficulties understanding what they mean, and then “I’m following” implies that you already know. Here’s how you can use this response as an expression:
Statement: the mall is always crowded; Ya tu sabes so you can go during weekdays. You tu sabes
Your response: No problem, I’m following
“Well, I’ll be darned, I do know!”
“Well, I’ll be darned, I do know!” is an appropriate response when someone says “Ya tu sabes” in a sarcastic manner, and you want to reply with a similar tone.
Darned is used to show that you’re stunned about something. But juxtaposing it with “I do know” strikes sarcasm.
For instance, they could say something far-fetched, and you want to reply with a sarcastic undertone while sounding polite.
Statement: I’m the sweetest guy Jane has ever met, Ya tu sabes
Your response: Well, I’ll be darned, I do know.
“Of course I do; I have a Ph.D. in knowing things.”
If you want to reply to “Ya tu sabes” in a rather humorous way, you can say, “Of course, I know; I have a Ph.D. in knowing things.”
It is an appropriate response when you want to keep the conversation on a lighthearted note. It also subtly evokes self-confidence and knowledge of things.
“Understood”
Spanish speakers are fond of using the phrase “Ya tu sabes,” meaning “you already know” while expressing their thoughts mainly because they intend to ensure you’re following. One of the most appropriate responses is to confirm that position.
You can say “understood” as many times as they say “Ya tu sabes.”
It is short and straightforward. It conveys the fact that you understand their point.
“Sorry, I’m not sure I follow.”
If you want the person to spell out the details of what they are describing, you can respond with “sorry, and I’m not sure I follow” whenever they say “Ya tu sabes.”
It helps them realize that you do not get the complete picture of what they’re insinuating, prompting them to explain in more detail.
This is the most appropriate response for “Ya tu sabes” when you don’t know what they mean in the discussion.
“Can you explain that a bit more?”
Similar to the preceding reply option, you can ask the person to explain a bit more on the gist that they assume you already know.
Statement: Ya tu sabes
Your response: Can you explain that a bit more? I don’t follow.
“yep”
“Yep” is a non-standard way to say “yes,” and it’s more potent when pronounced than spelled. You can respond with “yep” when someone tells you “Ya tu sabes,” especially if it’s in an informal setting.
Statement: We are all going to get rich; Ya tu sabes
Your response: Yep, we are all going to get rich.
“ah ha”
“Ah ha” is the kind of sound people use in a conversation to express surprise or satisfaction about information or occurrence.
Here, it represents an appropriate response for “Ya tu sabes” when words fail you.
The exciting part is that you don’t have to say anything. When someone says “Ya tu sabes,” you can make this sound to imply that you are either satisfied with their expression, you get the gist, or you are surprised by it.
“Ah ha” as a response is so flexible that it magically and effectively conveys your thoughts for your answer at that moment.
The bottom line
To finish, let me reiterate that the most appropriate response to “Ya tu sabes” in English will depend on the tone, body language, and context in which the phrase is used because “you already know” can be used in several ways to express different meanings.
But people use this Spanish expression mainly to imply that you already know the gist of what they are talking about, then the most appropriate response will be to affirm that impression by saying, “sure thing, I get.” It is short, simple, and straightforward.