todavia
/toh-dah-BEE-ah/
still
When "todavia" means "still," it shows that an action is continuing, like the rain still falling into a puddle.
📝 In Action
¿Están listos? No, todavía no estamos listos.
A1Are you ready? No, we are not ready yet.
Mi abuela todavía trabaja en su jardín todos los días.
A2My grandmother still works in her garden every day.
Todavía me duele la rodilla después de la caída.
B1My knee still hurts after the fall.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement
As an adverb, 'todavia' can usually go before the verb or at the beginning/end of the sentence. It's very flexible!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Todavia' and 'Ya'
Mistake: "Using 'Ya' when you mean 'still' (e.g., 'Ya vivo aquí' instead of 'Todavia vivo aquí')."
Correction: 'Todavia' means the action is ongoing (still). 'Ya' often means the action is completed or changed (already/no longer).
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Not Yet' Phrase
The easiest way to use 'yet' in a negative sentence is by combining it: 'No + todavia + verb' (e.g., 'No ha llegado todavia' - He hasn't arrived yet).
When "todavia" means "even," it adds emphasis or comparison, highlighting that even the smallest item is included.
todavia(adverb)
even
?Adding emphasis or comparison
,nevertheless
?Showing concession or contrast
all the same
?Despite something previously mentioned
📝 In Action
Es una casa hermosa, y todavia mejor, tiene piscina.
B2It's a beautiful house, and even better, it has a pool.
Estaba cansado, pero todavia tenía que terminar el informe.
C1He was tired, but nevertheless, he had to finish the report.
💡 Grammar Points
Emphasis vs. Time
When 'todavia' means 'even' or 'nevertheless', it often relates two contrasting ideas, rather than focusing on the continuation of time.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: todavia
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'todavia' to mean 'The action is ongoing'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I write 'todavia' or 'todavía'?
The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) recommends the spelling 'todavía' with an accent mark on the 'i' to correctly indicate where the stress falls in pronunciation (toh-dah-VEE-ah). While you might see it written without an accent, using 'todavía' is considered correct.
What is the difference between 'todavia' and 'aún'?
They mean the same thing ('still' or 'yet'). 'Todavia' is generally more common in everyday spoken Spanish, while 'aún' can sometimes sound a little more formal or literary, but they are often interchangeable.