aqui
/aˈki/
The English phrase 'here' is translated into Portuguese as aqui. Wiktionary also lists cá.
Meaning: in, on, or at this place (adv)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| aqui | /aˈki/ (Brazil) /ɐˈki/ (Portugal) |
| cá | /ˈka/ (Brazil) /ˈka/ (Portugal) |
The word aqui is used to denote being in, on or at this place. You can also use the related noun form aqui to refer to 'this place', or the expression aqui e agora to mean 'the present situation' or 'this time'. Additionally, the idiomatic phrase por aqui is used to mean 'around here' or 'this way' when giving directions or describing a general vicinity.
Which one should you use?
aqui is the standard and most common way to say 'here' in both Brazil and Portugal. The form cá is another way to say 'here'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈki/
Did you know?
- The word aqui is a linguistic fossil combining two different Latin words: eccum, meaning 'here he is', and hīc, meaning 'here'.
- In Brazil, cá is often perceived as more poetic or formal than aqui and is less common in everyday spoken conversation.
- When using cá, Portuguese speakers often use it to invite someone to move toward them, acting more like a 'come hither' signal than a static location.
Examples in context
- Há um copo aqui.There's a glass here.This sentence shows how to use aqui to indicate the location of an object.Tatoeba #880594 by alexmarcelo, translation #880591 by CK
- Tudo aqui é meu.Everything here is mine.This sentence demonstrates using aqui to describe ownership within a specific area.Tatoeba #1592932 by alexmarcelo, translation #61586 by CK
- O Tom veio aqui?Did Tom come here?This sentence shows how to use aqui when asking about someone's arrival at a location.Tatoeba #5033637 by bill, translation #2261185 by CK
- Aqui está o documento que o senhor solicitou.Here is the document you requested, sir.
- Você encontrará o escritório neste local.You'll find the office here, in this place.
- Vem cá!Come here!
- O livro que você estava procurando está aqui mesmo.The book you were looking for is right here.
- 4851 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila is looking for Gabriel in their apartment.
- GabrielCamila, você está aí?Camila, are you there?
- CamilaSim, estou aqui na sala.Yes, I am here in the living room.
- GabrielAh, agora eu te vi!Ah, now I see you!
- CamilaVenha aqui para mim, Gabriel.Come here to me, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “here” translations and entries aqui, cá, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aqui, cá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
