уж

In a sentence

• Той беше уж болен, но всъщност отиде на парти.

  He was supposedly sick, but actually went to a party.

  The word 'уж' is used here to indicate something that is claimed or pretended to be true but isn't actually so. It expresses doubt or suspicion about the stated claim.

• Уж се опитах да помогна, но не ми се получи.

  I supposedly tried to help, but I didn't manage.

  In this usage, 'уж' conveys an effort that is claimed or presented as genuine but is implied to lack a certain sincerity or effectiveness.

• Казва иб уж добре, но по гласа му се усеща тревога.

  He says he is supposedly fine, but you can feel anxiety in his voice.

  Here, 'уж' expresses a claim made by the subject that is immediately called into question or contradiction by the rest of the sentence.