What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb seguir (to continue/to follow) in the second person singular and the adverb ahí (there). Literally, it means "Do you continue there?"
Which one should you use?
The choice of words can change the nuance of the question. ¿Todavía estás ahí? and ¿Sigues ahí? are both ways to ask if someone is still there, but the latter uses the verb seguir to highlight the ongoing state of being present.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may use the word aún instead of todavía to say ¿Aún estás ahí?
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form changes based on whom you are addressing. To ask the question to someone you are addressing formally, use the third-person singular form ¿sigue ahí? To ask a group of people in Spain, use the vosotros form ¿seguís ahí? In Latin America, use the ustedes form ¿siguen ahí? to address a group.
Did you know?
- The word ahí is a hybrid creation, combining the Latin prefix ad- with the Old Spanish word y to pinpoint a specific location.
- Spanish distinguishes between three levels of 'there' using ahí, allí and allá, with ahí being the closest of the three.
- Using ¿sigues ahí? in a sarcastic tone can imply that the other person has 'zoned out' or is daydreaming during a conversation.
Examples in context
- ¿Aún está usted ahí? Necesitaba hablar con usted sobre el proyecto.Are you still there? I needed to talk to you about the project.
- ¡Hola! ¿Todavía estás ahí? No te había escuchado en un rato.Hey! Are you still there? I hadn't heard from you in a while.
- Oye, ¿sigues ahí? Quería contarte algo divertido que me sucedió hoy.Hey, are you still there? I wanted to tell you something funny that happened to me today.
- No te escucho, ¿sigues ahí?I can't hear you, are you still there?
- ¿Sigues ahí?Are you still there?
- No respondes, ¿sigues ahí?You aren't responding, are you still there?
Example conversation
Daniel is calling Elena on the phone but there is a long silence.
- DanielElena, ¿sigues ahí?Elena, are you still there?
- ElenaSí, perdón, es que perdí la señal.Yes, sorry, it's just that I lost the signal.
- DanielNo te preocupes, te escucho bien ahora.Don't worry, I can hear you well now.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel, continuemos con la charla.Thanks, Daniel, let's continue the chat.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
