ven aquí
/ben aki/from spelling rules
The English phrase "come here" is translated into Spanish as ven aquí.
Ven aquí is a command used to tell someone to move toward the speaker's current location. While ven aquí is a direct command, you can also use the colloquial phrase ven para acá or ven para aquí to mean "come over here".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ven, which is the imperative form of the verb *venir* (to come) and aquí, meaning "here".
Which one should you use?
Ven aquí is a direct command. In contrast, ven para acá is a more colloquial way to say "come over this way".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variation vente acá is more common in northern Mexico and parts of the Gulf Coast.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ven aquí uses the informal *tú* imperative. To use the formal *usted* imperative, say venga aquí. If you are addressing a group of people, use vengan aquí in Latin America or venid aquí in Spain when addressing a group you know well.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a person might beckon someone to ven aquí by waving their palm downward, which is the opposite of the upward palm gesture used in English.
- The word aquí has evolved from the Vulgar Latin eccum hīc, where the first part was a way of pointing something out, similar to saying 'look at this'.
- The word aquí is part of a precise three-way system of location including aquí, ahí and allí, which allows speakers to distinguish between 'right here', 'near you' and 'far away'.
Examples in context
- Ven aquí y ayuda.Come here and help.This sentence shows how to use ven aquí to ask for help.Tatoeba #1229896 by wallebot, translation #3100621 by mhenderson5
- Ven aquí y ayúdame.Come here and help me.Tatoeba #842241 by Shishir, translation #61596 by CK
- Ven aquí y siéntate.Come here and sit down.This sentence shows how to use ven aquí to tell someone to sit down.Tatoeba #2149095 by Shishir, translation #1860747 by CK
- Acérquese aquí por favor, necesito hablar con usted.Come closer, please, I need to talk to you.
- Disculpe, ¿podría venir aquí un momento?Excuse me, could you come here for a moment?
- Amigo, ven acá, tengo que contarte algo.Friend, come here, I need to tell you something.
- Niños, vengan para acá, la comida está lista.Kids, come over here, the food is ready.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is calling Mateo to show him something in the garden.
- LucíaMateo, ven aquí un momento.Mateo, come here for a moment.
- Mateo¿Qué pasa, Lucía?What's happening, Lucía?
- LucíaMira este pájaro tan bonito.Look at this beautiful bird.
- Mateo¡Es increíble!It is incredible!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aquí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
