ja

ja

"If."

In this sentence, 'ja' is used as a subordinating conjunction meaning 'if', used to introduce a conditional clause.

Ja rīt būs silts, mēs iesim uz pludmali.

If it is warm tomorrow, we will go to the beach.

Here, 'ja' is used as a direct translation of 'if', introducing a reported yes/no question.

Es viņam jautāju, ja viņš vēlas pievienoties vakariņām.

I asked him if he would like to join for dinner.

In this example, 'ja' is used again as 'if', combined with 'nu' to add a hypothesis or doubt aspect.

Ja nu viņi tomēr neatnāk, mēs iesim vieni.

If they still don't come, we will go on our own.