adverb
there, then
A1
Da is a local adverb meaning there or then, indicating place or temporal reference. It can point to a previously mentioned location or moment and often replaces a locative phrase. Position is flexible; context decides whether it means 'at that place' (there) or 'at that time' (then).
Examples
Das Fahrrad blieb da stehen, nachdem der Reifen plötzlich platzte.
The bicycle stopped there after the tire suddenly burst.
Zuerst frühstückte er, da ging er zur Arbeit.
First he had breakfast, then he went to work.
Da steht ein Stuhl.
There is a chair standing there.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine pointing to a spot and saying 'da!' (there).
Sounds like the English 'da' as a short 'there' pointer.
Notes
As an adverb, 'da' often means 'there' (place) or 'then' (temporal); it has additional uses in German when combined with prepositions (daran, dabei, daneben, etc.).