Is it far from here?
in Spanish¿Está lejos de aquí?
/ehs-TAH LEH-hohs deh ah-KEE/
This is the most direct, standard, and universally understood way to ask if something is far away. It's your reliable go-to that works in any situation, formal or informal.
Asking for directions is a key travel skill. Use '¿Está lejos de aquí?' to find out if your destination is a long walk or a short stroll away.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Queda lejos de aquí?
/KEH-dah LEH-hohs deh ah-KEE/
This is an extremely common and natural-sounding alternative. The verb 'quedar' is frequently used to talk about the location of places, meaning something like 'Is it located far from here?'.
¿Está muy lejos?
/ehs-TAH mwee LEH-hohs/
A simpler, more conversational version that drops 'from here' ('de aquí'). It's perfectly natural because your location is usually implied by the context of the conversation.
¿Queda muy lejos?
/KEH-dah mwee LEH-hohs/
This is the casual, conversational version using the popular verb 'quedar'. Just like '¿Está muy lejos?', the 'from here' part is understood from context.
¿Se encuentra lejos de aquí?
/seh ehn-KWEN-trah LEH-hohs deh ah-KEE/
A more formal way to ask, using 'se encuentra' which means 'is it found' or 'is it located'. It's polite, clear, and shows a degree of respect.
¿Está retirado?
/ehs-TAH reh-tee-RAH-doh/
In many parts of Latin America, 'retirado' is a common synonym for 'lejos'. It literally means 'removed' or 'set back', implying that a place is not just far, but also a bit out of the way.
¿Está a mucha distancia?
/ehs-TAH ah MOO-chah dees-TAHN-see-ah/
This literally translates to 'Is it at a great distance?'. While grammatically perfect, it's less common in everyday speech than simply saying 'lejos'. It can sound slightly more technical or precise.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the best way to ask 'Is it far?' based on the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Está lejos de aquí? | Neutral | The universal, all-purpose question that works in any situation. | Never wrong, but 'queda' can sound slightly more natural in casual conversation. |
| ¿Queda lejos de aquí? | Neutral | Sounding natural and conversational when asking about location. | No need to avoid it; it's extremely common and versatile. |
| ¿Está muy lejos? | Casual | Quick, informal questions when 'from here' is already understood. | Approaching a stranger for the first time, as it lacks context. |
| ¿Se encuentra lejos? | Formal | Showing respect to authorities, elders, or in professional settings. | A casual chat with friends, as it can sound a bit stiff. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy for English speakers. The main challenge is the 'j' in 'lejos', which is a soft, throaty 'h' sound, not a hard 'j' like in 'jungle'.
The grammar is straightforward. The only hurdle is remembering to use the verb 'estar' (or 'quedar') for location, not 'ser'.
The phrase itself is simple. The nuance comes in interpreting the answers, which can be more relative and less precise than in English.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use 'estar' instead of 'ser' for location.
- Pronouncing the 'j' in 'lejos' correctly.
- Understanding culturally relative answers about distance.
💡Examples in Action
Disculpe, la estación de tren, ¿está lejos de aquí?
Excuse me, the train station, is it far from here?
Quiero ir al nuevo café. ¿Nos queda muy lejos para ir caminando?
I want to go to the new café. Is it too far for us to walk?
Buenas tardes. El Museo del Prado, ¿se encuentra a mucha distancia del hotel?
Good afternoon. The Prado Museum, is it located a great distance from the hotel?
Entonces, sigo recto tres cuadras. No está muy retirado, ¿verdad?
So, I go straight for three blocks. It's not too far out of the way, right?
🌍Cultural Context
The Art of Vague Distances
Don't be surprised if your very specific question gets a wonderfully vague answer. Phrases like 'ahí no más' (just over there), 'cerquita' (real close), or 'a un saltito' (a little hop away) can mean anything from a 2-minute walk to a 15-minute journey. Cultural concepts of distance are often more relative and less precise than in English.
Listen for 'Lejitos'
Spanish speakers love using diminutives to soften words. If you hear someone say a place is 'lejitos', they're adding '-itos' to 'lejos'. This means 'a little bit far' and is a friendly, common way to say it's a bit of a trek without sounding discouraging.
Gestures Speak Volumes
Often, the verbal question is accompanied by a gesture. Pointing with pursed lips in a general direction or using a hand to indicate a long way away is very common. Pay attention to body language, as it often contains as much information as the words themselves.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "A common mistake is asking, '¿Es lejos de aquí?'."
Correction: The correct verb for location is always 'estar', so you should say, '¿Está lejos de aquí?'.
Confusing 'Lejos' (Far) with 'Largo' (Long)
Mistake: "Learners sometimes mix up distance and length, asking '¿Es largo de aquí?'."
Correction: Use 'lejos' for distance. '¿Está lejos de aquí?'.
Forgetting the 'de' (from)
Mistake: "Saying '¿Está lejos aquí?' without the 'de'."
Correction: You need the preposition 'de' to connect the ideas: '¿Está lejos de aquí?'.
💡Pro Tips
Specify Your Transport
To get a much more useful answer, add how you plan to travel. Ask, '¿Está lejos para ir caminando?' (Is it far to walk?) or '¿Queda lejos en autobús?' (Is it far by bus?). This gives the other person the context they need to give you a helpful estimate.
Name Your Destination
Avoid being vague. Instead of just asking if 'it' is far, name the place you're looking for. A clear question like 'El Mercado San Miguel, ¿está lejos de aquí?' will always get you a better result than a generic one.
Embrace the Verb 'Quedar'
While 'estar' is always correct for location, 'quedar' is extremely common and will make you sound more natural. Practice using '¿Queda lejos?' and you'll blend in more easily with native speakers.
Prepare for a Follow-Up Question
After you ask if it's far, be ready to ask a follow-up. If they say yes, ask '¿Cómo puedo llegar?' (How can I get there?). If they say no, ask '¿A cuántos minutos está?' (How many minutes away is it?).
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
In very informal, friendly contexts, especially among younger people, you might hear '¿pilla lejos?'. It's slangy but common, meaning something like 'Is it a pain to get to?' or 'Is it far for you?'.
Mexico
Both 'está' and 'queda' are used interchangeably and are extremely common. Answers might be very colorful, using phrases like 'hasta la... ' to mean 'all the way over there...'.
Argentina
The most notable difference is the preference for 'acá' over 'aquí' for 'here', which is standard in the Rioplatense Spanish of Argentina and Uruguay. The intonation pattern is also famously melodic and distinct.
Caribbean
The speed of speech and the dropping of final consonants are the main characteristics. The phrasing is often direct and concise, so you'll frequently hear the shortened versions without 'de aquí'.
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask if it's far, and they say it's close.
No, está aquí cerca. / No, está a dos pasos.
No, it's close by. / No, it's a stone's throw away.
¡Qué bueno! ¿Puedo ir caminando?
Great! Can I walk there?
After you ask if it's far, and they say it's not.
Sí, está bastante lejos.
Yes, it's quite far.
Entiendo. ¿Qué autobús o metro debo tomar?
I understand. What bus or metro should I take?
After you ask, and they give you a time estimate.
Más o menos, como a veinte minutos en coche.
More or less, about twenty minutes by car.
Perfecto, muchas gracias por la ayuda.
Perfect, thank you very much for the help.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How do I get to...?
This is the logical next question after you find out if a place is far or near.
Is it close by?
This is the direct opposite of 'Is it far?' and essential for asking for directions.
How long does it take?
After distance, time is the next most important piece of information you'll need.
Can I walk there?
A practical follow-up question that helps you decide on your mode of transport.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Is it far from here?
Question 1 of 4
You're at a hotel reception and want to ask the concierge if the main museum is far. What is the most appropriate and polite way to ask?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between '¿Está lejos?' and '¿Queda lejos?'
Functionally, they mean the same thing and are often interchangeable. 'Está lejos' is a direct translation using the verb 'to be' (estar). 'Queda lejos' uses the verb 'quedar', which is extremely common for talking about locations and can sound slightly more natural to a native speaker's ear. You can't go wrong with either.
Is it better to say 'aquí' or 'acá' for 'here'?
Both mean 'here'. 'Aquí' is universally understood and standard in most regions, including Spain and Mexico. 'Acá' is more common in some parts of Latin America, particularly in Argentina, Uruguay, and Central America. When in doubt, 'aquí' is always a safe bet.
Why can't I use 'ser' (es) for location?
This is a fundamental rule in Spanish. The verb 'ser' is used for identity, origin, and inherent characteristics (what something *is*). The verb 'estar' is used for states, conditions, and location (where something *is*). So, a building 'is' (ser) modern, but it 'is located' (estar) on a specific street.
How do I ask if something is far for a specific mode of transport?
It's easy! Just add how you're traveling to the end of the question. For example, '¿Está lejos para ir caminando?' (Is it far to walk?), '¿Queda lejos en metro?' (Is it far by metro?), or '¿Está lejos en coche?' (Is it far by car?).
What if I want to ask 'How far is it?' instead of just 'Is it far?'
To ask for a specific distance, you would say '¿A qué distancia está?'. For example, '¿A qué distancia está el aeropuerto?' (How far away is the airport?). This asks for a measurement, like kilometers or miles.
Is 'retirado' a good word to use everywhere?
While 'retirado' is understood in most places, it's much more common in Latin America than in Spain. It often implies that a place is not just far, but also isolated or 'out of the way'. Using 'lejos' is more universal and a safer choice if you're not sure about regional preferences.
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