ahí
/a-EE/
Like pointing to something near your friend, 'ahí' shows a location that's close to the person you're talking to, but not right by you.
ahí (Adverb)
📝 In Action
Deja tus llaves ahí, sobre la mesa.
A1Leave your keys there, on the table.
¿Qué tienes ahí en la mano?
A1What do you have there in your hand?
Por favor, siéntate ahí.
A2Please, sit there.
💡 Grammar Points
The Three 'Theres': Aquí, Ahí, Allí
Think of it like this: 'Aquí' is here, right by me. 'Ahí' is there, right by you. 'Allí' is way over there, far from both of us. It's all about distance from the speakers.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'ahí' and 'allí'
Mistake: "If your friend is standing by the door, you might say: 'Espera allí'."
Correction: It's better to say: 'Espera ahí'. Since your friend is not very far away, 'ahí' is more natural. Use 'allí' for things that are truly distant, like 'the mountains over there'.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'You' Zone
A simple trick is to think of 'ahí' as pointing to anything in the listener's 'zone' or within their easy reach.
Beyond physical places, 'ahí' can also 'point' to the main part of an idea, problem, or argument.
ahí (Adverb)
📝 In Action
Ahí está el problema, no tenemos suficiente dinero.
B1There's the problem, we don't have enough money.
No estoy de acuerdo contigo ahí.
B1I don't agree with you there (on that point).
De ahí que sea tan importante estudiar.
B2Hence why it's so important to study.
⭐ Usage Tips
Pinpointing an Idea
Use 'ahí' to show you're referring to the specific topic being discussed. It's like saying 'That's it!' or 'On that subject...' in English.
In storytelling, 'ahí' can also pinpoint a specific moment in time, like saying 'and right then...' to add emphasis.
ahí (Adverb)
📝 In Action
Fue ahí cuando me di cuenta de la verdad.
B2It was then that I realized the truth.
Estábamos a punto de salir, y ahí sonó el teléfono.
B2We were about to leave, and that's when the phone rang.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Storytelling
This use of 'ahí' is perfect for telling a story. It creates a little bit of drama and highlights a turning point or a key moment.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ahí
Question 1 of 2
You are on the phone with a friend who is at home. They can't find their wallet. You see it on their desk via video call. What do you say?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'ahí' and 'allí'?
Think of it as three zones. 'Aquí' is your personal space (here). 'Ahí' is the other person's space (there, near you). 'Allí' is everything else that's far from both of you (way over there). If you can easily point to it and it's near the listener, use 'ahí'.
Can I use 'ahí' and 'allí' interchangeably?
In casual speech, people sometimes mix them up, but there is a clear difference. Using them correctly will make your Spanish sound much more natural. 'Ahí' implies a middle distance, while 'allí' implies a greater distance.
Why does 'ahí' have an accent mark?
The accent on the 'í' is crucial! It shows that the two vowels, 'a' and 'i', are pronounced as separate syllables: a-Í. Without it, it would be pronounced as one syllable, 'ay', which is a different word ('ay' means 'ouch!').