Inklingo
← Dictionary

ahí

a-EEaˈi

there

Also: over there
A person pointing to a backpack on a chair next to another person, illustrating 'ahí' as 'there, near you'.

📝 In Action

Deja tus llaves ahí, sobre la mesa.

A1

Leave your keys there, on the table.

¿Qué tienes ahí en la mano?

A1

What do you have there in your hand?

Por favor, siéntate ahí.

A2

Please, sit there.

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • aquí (here (by me))
  • allí (over there (far away))
  • acá (here (around me))
  • allá (over there (very far))

Common Collocations

  • por ahí – around there; approximately
  • ahí mismo – right there
  • de ahí en adelante – from then on

there

Also: that's where, that's the point
Two people talking, with one pointing to their head as a lightbulb icon glows above it, signifying 'ahí' as the key point of an idea.

📝 In Action

Ahí está el problema, no tenemos suficiente dinero.

B1

There's the problem, we don't have enough money.

No estoy de acuerdo contigo ahí.

B1

I don't agree with you there (on that point).

De ahí que sea tan importante estudiar.

B2

Hence why it's so important to study.

Word Connections

Idioms & Expressions

  • de ahí que – hence, that's why, therefore
  • ahí es nada – and that's no small thing! (used ironically)

then

Also: that's when
A sequence of three images: a person looking at a map, then walking, then stopping with a look of realization at a landmark, showing 'ahí' as 'at that moment'.

📝 In Action

Fue ahí cuando me di cuenta de la verdad.

B2

It was then that I realized the truth.

Estábamos a punto de salir, y ahí sonó el teléfono.

B2

We were about to leave, and that's when the phone rang.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • entonces (then)
  • en ese momento (at that moment)

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ahí" in Spanish:

that's when→that's where→

✏️ 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

🎵 Rhymes▼
reípaísmaíz
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from a combination of the old Latin words 'ad' (meaning 'to' or 'at') and 'hic' (meaning 'here'). Over time, they blended together to form 'ahí'.

First recorded: Around the 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: aíGalician: aí

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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!').