ici
/i.si/
The French word for "here" is ici.
ici is an adverb meaning in, on or at this place. While ici is the precise term for the current location, you may also encounter the phrase par ici, which is used to indicate a direction or a path leading to the current location, meaning "this way" or "through here".
Meaning: in, on, or at this place (adv)
Which one should you use?
In casual spoken French, the word là (which typically means "there") is frequently used instead of ici to mean "here", often when pointing to a location. While ici specifically means "here", là can be adapted as an informal version to cover both "here" and "there".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /i.si/. It consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word ici originates from the Late Latin phrase ecce hīc, which combines 'behold' and 'here'.
- French has a specific expression d'ici là, which means 'between now and then' when referring to time instead of space.
- The phrase ici-bas is used in French literature and poetry to refer to 'this earthly world' or 'here below'.
Examples in context
- Tu es ici ?Are you here?This example shows how to ask if someone is present using ici.Tatoeba #5240627 by Iriep, translation #3823878 by CK
- Il est ici !Here he is!This example shows how to express that someone is present at this location using ici.Tatoeba #10192 by sacredceltic, translation #71715 by CK
- Tu vis ici ?Do you live here?This example shows how to ask if someone resides at this location using ici.Tatoeba #4081046 by sbamsbamsbam, translation #15882 by CK
- Le rendez-vous est ici.The appointment is here.
- Le musée est par ici.The museum is this way.
- Voici mon collègue, Jean.This is my colleague, Jean.
- Je suis ici.I am here.
- 5238 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are meeting at a café.
- ChloéJe suis ici, Nathan !I am here, Nathan!
- NathanAh, tu es enfin ici.Ah, you are finally here.
- ChloéLe café est juste ici.The café is right here.
- NathanParfait, asseyons-nous ici.Perfect, let's sit here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “here” translations and entries ici, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ici, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
