This word means 'is' in Okinawan. You use it to say that something is something else.
Noun + やPrimary
な-Adjective + や
This word means 'is' in Okinawan. You use it to say that something is something else.
これ、沖縄そばや。
This is Okinawa soba.
NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeFood & DiningCulture & TraditionsTravel & Transportation
あん人はうちなんちゅやあらんよ。
That person is not Okinawan.
昨日のエイサーは、ちむどんどんやったん。
Yesterday's Eisa performance was heart-pounding/exciting.
CasualPastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeCulture & TraditionsMusic & EntertainmentEmotions & Psychology
あの店は美味しいやし、値段も安いからよく行くさー。
That restaurant is delicious and its prices are cheap, so I go there often, you know.
今日の海、静かやっさー。
The sea is calm today, you know.
This word changes for 'not' or 'past'. For 'not', it becomes 'ya aran'. This is like 'dewa nai' in standard Japanese. For 'past', it becomes 'yattan'. This is like 'datta' in standard Japanese.
This is different from "です" in standard Japanese. "や" is like "だ" in standard Japanese. It is not polite. "やいびーん" is the polite form in Okinawan.
Use this when you want to sound like you are from Okinawa. It makes your speech feel friendly and proud of your local area. You can combine it with other Okinawan words too.
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