por aquí
/poɾ aki/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for 'around here' is por aquí.
Por aquí is used to refer to the area in or near the current location of the speaker. While it describes a general vicinity, it is more idiomatic and less precise than saying 'near here'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition por (meaning through, by or along) and the adverb aquí (meaning here), literally translating to 'through/by here'.
Which one should you use?
Por aquí is used to imply a general or vague area, whereas cerca de aquí is more precise and literally means 'near here'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal phrase Por estos lares, meaning 'around these parts', is used in Spain and Colombia. In countries such as Chile or Uruguay, you might hear the informal expression por estos pagos to mean 'around here'.
Did you know?
- The expression por estos lares refers to 'lares', the ancient Roman household deities who protected the home and its vicinity.
- The term por estos pagos comes from the colonial 'pago', which was a rural district where settlers paid their taxes.
- The word aquí is a linguistic hybrid that merged the Latin words eccum and hīc into a single term.
Examples in context
- ¿Eres de por aquí?Are you from around here?This example shows how to ask if someone is from around here using por aquí.Tatoeba #1959231 by Alba, translation #1920739 by Spamster
- No es de por aquí.He's not from around here.This example uses por aquí to state that someone is not from around here.Tatoeba #5093739 by cueyayotl, translation #3098780 by Hybrid
- Está helado por aquí.It's cold around here.This example uses por aquí to describe the temperature in the vicinity.Tatoeba #3888964 by SrTortuga, translation #3733287 by CK
- ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús por aquí?Where is the bus stop around here?
- ¿Hay algún restaurante bueno cerca de aquí?Is there any good restaurant around here?
- Creo que hay una tienda de comestibles alrededor de aquí.I think there's a grocery store around here.
- ¿Conoce usted algún museo por esta zona?Do you know any museums around here?
- Me gustaría encontrar un hotel en las proximidades de aquí.I would like to find a hotel in the vicinity of here.
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel is asking Lucía for directions in a neighborhood.
- LucíaHola, Daniel. ¿Qué buscas?Hello, Daniel. What are you looking for?
- Daniel¿Hay una farmacia por aquí?Is there a pharmacy around here?
- LucíaSí, hay una muy cerca.Yes, there is one very close.
- DanielPerfecto, gracias por la ayuda.Perfect, thanks for the help.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aquí, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
