ahí mismo
/ai mismo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "right there" is translated into Spanish as ahí mismo.
Ahí mismo is used to specify a precise location that is close to the speaker or the listener.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb ahí (there) and mismo (same/exact/right).
Which one should you use?
While ahí mismo refers to a location relatively close to the listener, allí mismo is used for a location further away from both the speaker and the listener.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, allá mismo is used to express "right there". In Spain, it is common to use justo allí mismo to express "right there".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the word mismo functions as an intensifier to specify precision and does not change its form based on the gender of the object being located.
How do you pronounce it?
/ai mismo/
Did you know?
- While ahí mismo usually describes a place, it can also be used to describe a precise moment in time, such as saying something happened 'right then and there'.
- In Spanish, the distinction between ahí, allí and allá creates a three-way map of distance that is more precise than the English 'here' and 'there'.
- The word mismo in this phrase is actually an intensifier that traces its roots back to the Latin superlative ipsissimus, meaning 'the very same'.
Examples in context
- "¿Por qué quieres escalar la montaña?" "Porque está ahí mismo"."Why do you want to climb the mountain?" "Because it is right there."This example shows why someone wants to climb a mountain using ahí mismo.Tatoeba #10067319 by manufrutos, translation #10067105 by tsp_2
- Párate ahí mismo.Stop right there.This sentence uses ahí mismo to tell someone where to stop.Tatoeba #6703507 by arh, translation #2250020 by CK
- Me empezó a gruñir el estómago ahí mismo en la reunión. Fue vergonzoso.My stomach started growling right there in the meeting. It was embarrassing.This sentence uses ahí mismo to describe when a stomach started growling during a meeting.Tatoeba #1509039 by marcelostockle, translation #22468 by CK
- El informe que buscas está justo allí, en el escritorio.The report you're looking for is right there, on the desk.
- El punto de encuentro para la reunión es exactamente ahí, junto a la estatua.The meeting's meeting point is right there, next to the statue.
- La tienda está cerrada, pero si te fijas bien, los dulces que buscas están ahí mismo.The store is closed, but if you look closely, the candy you're looking for is right there.
- No te preocupes, la respuesta que buscas está justo ahí, en el último párrafo.Don't worry, the answer you're looking for is right there, in the last paragraph.
- No te preocupes, el libro que buscas está allá mismo, en la mesa de la cocina.Don't worry, the book you're looking for is right there, on the kitchen table.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking for a specific book on a shelf.
- Mateo¿Ves el libro rojo?Do you see the red book?
- ElenaSí, está ahí mismo.Yes, it's right there.
- Mateo¡Gracias, Elena!Thanks, Elena!
- ElenaDe nada, Mateo.You're welcome, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahí, mismo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
