por ahí
/poɾ aˈi/
The English phrase "that way" can be translated into Spanish as por ahí.
Por ahí is used to indicate a direction that is away from the speaker. It can also be used figuratively to mean "around there" or "somewhere there" when referring to an approximate location or amount.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition por (through/by/along) and the adverb ahí (there).
Which one should you use?
While por ahí is used for a general direction or a nearby "that way", por allá is used to indicate a direction that is much further away or more distant.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, people may use Por ese lado to express "that way."
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ aˈi/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, people often point with their lips by pouting or gesturing toward por ahí instead of using a finger.
- In some regions, using por ahí to describe a price or number means 'somewhere around there' and implies a willingness to negotiate.
- While por ahí indicates a direction, the phrase anda por ahí is often used as a colloquial way to say someone is 'wandering around' or 'out and about'.
Examples in context
- Por ahí, haga el favor.That way, please.This sentence is useful for using por ahí to politely direct someone.Tatoeba #2259248 by cueyayotl, translation #2259247 by _undertoad
- ¡No entren por ahí, entren por aquí!Don't go that way, go this way!This sentence is useful for contrasting two different directions using por ahí.Tatoeba #10224879 by Shishir, translation #10224878 by espamatics
- Ve por ahí.Go that way.This sentence is useful for giving a simple command with por ahí.Tatoeba #6811027 by arh, translation #2230779 by CK
- Tienes que organizar los libros así para que quepan en la repisa.You have to arrange the books that way so they fit on the shelf.
- La parada de autobús está por ahí, a unos cien metros de distancia.The bus stop is around there, about a hundred meters away.
- La tienda que buscas está por allí, al lado de la iglesia.The store you're looking for is that way, next to the church.
- El cine está por ese lado, a dos cuadras de aquí.The cinema is that way, two blocks from here.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are looking for the exit of a museum.
- Elena¿Dónde está la salida?Where is the exit?
- DanielCreo que es por ahí.I think it is that way.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel.Thanks, Daniel.
- DanielDe nada, Elena.You're welcome, Elena.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry por ahí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
