What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb escanear (to scan) in the imperative mood and the adverb aquí (here).
Which one should you use?
Other forms exist depending on who you are addressing. Use escanee aquí to be polite to an individual, escaneen aquí when addressing a group and escanéalo aquí if you specifically want to say "scan it here".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Escanea aquí uses the informal tú command, which is common in modern, friendly or casual branding and signage. For more formal situations, you can use escanee aquí when addressing a customer or stranger with respect. More formal variations include Por favor, escanee aquí (Please scan here), Le ruego que escanee aquí (I kindly request that you scan here) or Le solicito que escanee aquí (I request that you scan here).
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form escanee aquí is used instead of escanea aquí when addressing a customer or stranger with formal respect. To direct an instruction at a group of people, use the plural form escaneen aquí.
Did you know?
- The word aquí comes from the Vulgar Latin phrase eccum hīc, which essentially merged the words for 'this' and 'here'.
- The verb escanear is a relatively recent arrival to Spanish and is a direct adaptation of the English word 'scan'.
- If you use the informal escanea aquí on a public sign in a formal setting, some locals might perceive the instruction as uncomfortably aggressive or blunt.
Examples in context
- Escanea aquí para ver el menú.Scan here to see the menu.
- Si quieres el descuento, escanea aquí.If you want the discount, scan here.
- Por favor, escanea aquí el código.Please, scan the code here.
Example conversation
Mateo is showing Elena how to enter a museum.
- MateoMira, escanea aquí para entrar.Look, scan here to enter.
- ElenaYa lo estoy haciendo, Mateo.I am already doing it, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Ya tienes el código?Do you have the code now?
- ElenaSí, ya podemos pasar.Yes, we can go in now.
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.
