Only in Collins.
JA is valid in the international Collins list used for crossword tile games outside North America, but not in the North American list.
JA is valid in the international Collins list but not in the NASPA Word List 2023, the North American list. If your group plays with the Collins toggle on, it counts; otherwise it can be challenged off the board.
About JA
Afrikaans gave South African English the word ja for yes, much like German. Collins players use it for the 8-point J, which has few short homes.
Settle the next one at the table: score your game free in Tileside →
JA scores 9 points
Before any bonus squares: J 8 + A 1 = 9. On a double-word square that's 18, on a triple-word 27, and every letter bonus under one of these tiles is applied first.
Example: JA as the first play
Later in the game, put the J on a 3L square and JA is worth 25 before any word bonus.
Hooks: one tile makes a new word
Longer words from JA
Words that start with JA:
- JABSform of JAB: poke or thrust abruptly
- JACKa small worthless amount
- JADEa semiprecious gemstone that takes a high polish
- JAGG
- JAGSform of JAG: a sharp projection on an edge or surface
- JAILa correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial…
- JAKE
- JAMBupright consisting of a vertical side member of a door or window frame
Change one tile
Swap any one letter of JA and these are still words:
Same letters, other words
No other word in the list uses exactly the letters J and A.
Add one tile: words from these letters plus one more
JA + B
- JABto poke sharply
JA + G
- JAGto cut unevenly
JA + H
- HAJsame as HADJ: a pilgrimage to Mecca
JA + I
- AJIa chili pepper
JA + M
- JAMto force together tightly
JA + T
- TAJa tall, conical cap worn in Muslim countries
JA + W
- JAWto jabber
JA + Y
- JAYa bird of genus Platylophus
Memory tip
JA is “yes” in South Africa, from Afrikaans. It is valid only in the Collins list; in North America the only two-letter J word is JO.
On these lists
Other two-letter words starting with J
Check words at the table, free
Tileside keeps score, checks words like this one during a challenge, tracks the tiles left in the bag and times turns. It runs in your phone's browser with no account and works offline.
Tileside checks words against the North American list, the NASPA Word List 2023. Your group's chosen dictionary always wins. Playing the international (Collins) list? Turn on its 20 extra two-letter words in Setup.
Word list: NASPA Word List 2023, used under license. NASPA Word List 2023 Edition © NASPA 2023. The copy included in this app is licensed for personal use. You may not use it for any commercial purposes.
Works with the Scrabble board game, played at the table. Tileside is an independent product, not affiliated with or endorsed by the makers of Scrabble.