asi
/ah-see/
like this / like that
Used as an adverb, así means 'like this' or 'in this way', describing the manner in which an action is performed.
📝 In Action
Tienes que hacerlo asi, ¿ves?
A1You have to do it like this, see?
La vida es asi, a veces buena y a veces mala.
A2Life is like that, sometimes good and sometimes bad.
No me mires asi.
A2Don't look at me like that.
💡 Grammar Points
The Accent Mark is Important!
The correct, modern spelling is almost always 'así' with an accent on the 'i'. This tells you to put the stress on the last sound: a-SÍ. While you might see 'asi' without the accent in old texts or informal messages, you should always write 'así'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Show, Don't Just Tell
People often use a gesture when they say 'asi' to physically show what they mean. For example, you might make a chopping motion while saying, 'Corta la cebolla asi' (Chop the onion like this).
When used to describe degree, así means 'so' or 'such a', emphasizing the magnitude of a quality, usually in the structure 'así de [adjective]'.
📝 In Action
Nunca vi un perro asi de grande.
A2I've never seen a dog so big.
¿Por qué estás asi de preocupado?
B1Why are you so worried?
Una persona asi no puede ser presidente.
B1A person like that (such a person) can't be president.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'así de' Combo
When you use 'asi' to describe 'how much' of something, it's almost always followed by 'de'. Think of 'asi de' as a single chunk that means 'this...' or 'so...'. For example, 'asi de fácil' means 'this easy' or 'so easy'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'asi' vs. 'tan'
Mistake: "Using 'asi' before an adjective like you would in English: 'un perro asi grande'."
Correction: Say 'un perro asi de grande' or 'un perro tan grande'. 'Asi' needs the 'de' in this situation, while 'tan' doesn't.
The common phrase así que functions as a conjunction meaning 'so' or 'therefore', used to introduce a result or consequence.
📝 In Action
Está lloviendo, asi que no podemos ir al parque.
A2It's raining, so we can't go to the park.
No he dormido bien, asi que estoy muy cansado.
B1I haven't slept well, so I'm very tired.
El vuelo fue cancelado, asi que tendremos que buscar un hotel.
B1The flight was canceled, therefore we'll have to look for a hotel.
⭐ Usage Tips
Your Go-To for Cause and Effect
The phrase 'así que' is your best friend for connecting a cause to a result. Just state the cause, add 'así que', and then state the result. It's a super common and natural way to link your ideas.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: asi
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'asi' to mean 'like this' or to describe a manner of doing something?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'asi' and 'así'?
The correct, modern spelling is 'así' with an accent mark on the 'i'. The accent shows that the stress of the word falls on that last syllable: a-SÍ. While you might see 'asi' without the accent in old texts or very informal messages, you should always learn and use 'así'.
How is 'así que' different from 'por qué'?
'Así que' gives a result ('so', 'therefore'), while 'porque' gives a reason ('because'). Compare: 'It was cold, SO I put on a jacket' (*Hacía frío, así que me puse una chaqueta*). vs. 'I put on a jacket BECAUSE it was cold' (*Me puse una chaqueta porque hacía frío*).
Can I use 'asi' by itself to mean 'so' like in 'I'm so tired'?
Not usually. For 'I'm so tired', you would use 'estoy tan cansado'. You use 'asi' to mean 'so' when it's combined with 'de', as in 'I've never been SO tired' (*Nunca he estado asi de cansado*), where you're emphasizing the degree of tiredness.