Meanings

1. 1

   well, hmm

   Was schlägst du vor? — Tja, ich schlage vor, dass wir ins Kino gehen.What do you suggest? — Well, I suggest that we go to the movies.

2. 2

   Used to express acceptance of one's misfortune; oh well, welp

   Tja! Das war wohl nichts...Oh well! That didn’t work out as planned...

3. 3

   Used as an unsympathetic response to someone else's misfortune, implying it was predictable or is otherwise simply to be accepted; tough luck

   Tja, wenn er will, dass ich mich darum kümmere, dann hätte er sich rechtzeitig bei mir melden müssen.Tough luck, if he wants me to take care of it, he should have reached out to me in good time.

Examples