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yaya

yayâ with stress marks

to invite or induce

verb ya-YÂ Native origin Less Common

Also means

When stressed on the first syllable, yaya refers to a nanny or nursemaid, a domestic caregiver for children.

Usage Note

Yaya in this sense means to invite, entice, or coax someone into doing something or going somewhere, used in everyday informal speech when encouraging friends or family to join an activity. The stress on the final syllable distinguishes it from the homonym meaning nanny.

Examples

Beginner

" Niyaya niya ako sa palengke. "

Natural Translation

She invited me to the market.

Literal Translation

Invited she me to market.

Intermediate

" May yaya siya na maglaro sa labas. "

Natural Translation

They have an invitation to play outside.

Literal Translation

Has invitation they to play at outside.

Advanced

" Niyaya ko sana sila sa piknik, pero ayaw nilang sumama dahil umuulan nang malakas. "

Natural Translation

I had hoped to invite them to the picnic, but they didn't want to come because it was raining hard.

Literal Translation

Invited I hopefully them to picnic, but dislike they-link to-come because raining intensely strong.

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